COTTAGE GROVE - Ryan Alexander Stevenson, age 21, of Cottage Grove, passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2023. He was born on Jan. 9, 2002, in Naperville, Ill., the son of Randy Stevenson and Kari (Keller) Stevenson.

Ryan graduated from Monona Grove High School in 2020 and was a student at UW-Madison, where he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He was working toward his Psychology degree with a computer science certificate and was set to graduate with the spring class of 2023.

In his free time, Ryan loved computer gaming. His favorite team to follow was Cloud 9. This past fall, he even took a trip to watch them compete in person during the LCS semi-finals.

Ryan was a very intellectual person, interested in psychology and human behavior. During the last 18 months, he volunteered with the Crisis Text Line. He aimed to pursue a master’s degree in psychology and one day help those struggling with depression and anxiety.

Ryan also had a quirky, artistic side. He liked to draw anime and had learned Japanese during his last semester at UW.

Though he would be the first to tell you he had difficulty making friends, he was always available to those in need. He would listen intently, offer advice when needed, and could always make you smile with any number of quick-witted responses.

Ryan is survived by his parents, Randy and Kari; brother Tyler (Lydia) Stevenson; grandparents, Dianne (Don) Schuster, Roy (Linda) Keller, Jeanne Garber (Terry Young) and Cheryl Stevenson (Gene Primm); aunts, Krista (Ryk) McAlerney and Holly Keller; uncle, Brandon (Gina) Keller; cousins, Jamie, Em, Jacob, Aubree, Crystal and Carolyn; and other extended family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal great-grandparents; and uncle, Royal Keller.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, with Scott Marrese-Wheeler presiding. Burial will be held at a later date. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday.

Please consider making a donation in Ryan’s memory to Crisis Text Line. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Ryan Stevenson

January 09, 2002 - April 22, 2023

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