Elizabeth R. Ryan

Elizabeth R. “Betty” (Wagner) Kuhle Ryan, 92, passed away on December 3, 2019 at Sage Park Alzheimer's Special Care Center in Gahanna, Ohio. She was born on March 22, 1927 in Bernard, Iowa to Joseph and Marie Gertrude (Francois) Wagner.

Betty was raised on her father’s farm in Bernard, Iowa and graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Dubuque in 1944. Betty married LaVern Henry Kuhle on August 7, 1948 and together they had son James (Donetta) Kuhle. After LaVern’s passing in June of 1949, Betty raised Jim with the help of her sisters in Chicago, Illinois. She worked for Jefferson Electric in Chicago in the 1950s and early 60s.

On April 29, 1967, Betty married Harry James Ryan and together they had son Michael (Linda) Ryan. Harry also had a son from his first marriage, Harry (Marsha) Ryan Jr. After Betty married Harry, they lived in Columbus, Ohio for a short while before moving to Cincinnati, Ohio. Betty was a very active parishioner at St. Vivian Catholic Church in Cincinnati where she volunteered as a bookkeeper and was part of the Rosary Altar Society. She also worked part time as a receptionist at a pediatric practice in Cincinnati. In 2002, Betty’s husband Harry passed away. Betty remained in Cincinnati until 2010 when she moved back to Columbus to be close to sons, Harry Jr. and Mike, and their families. She was a member of Church of the Resurrection where she participated in the Young at Heart Seniors Ministry. Through the years Betty enjoyed working in her yard, gardening, and playing cards. She loved getting together with her duplicate bridge group at the Springfield Township Center in Cincinnati.

In addition to Betty’s 3 sons and their wives, also surviving are Betty’s 5 grandsons, Shawn (Julie) Kuhle, Ryan (Julia Chagnon) Kuhle, Evan Ryan, Sean Ryan, and Josh (Beth) Ryan, 4 great grandsons, brother Louis Wagner of Dubuque, Iowa, sister Katherine (Richard) Russell of Naperville, Illinois, sister-in-law June Wagner of Dubuque, Iowa, and many loving nieces and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings John Wagner, Rosemary (Wagner) Deckert, Donald Wagner, and Mary Celine (Wagner) Baumann.

Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, March 22nd at Behr’s Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa. A mass will be held the following morning, March 23rd at 10:30 am at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 19589 Sacred Heart Lane, Bernard, Iowa with burial immediately following at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque, Iowa.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.

Arrangements were entrusted to Schoedinger Northeast in Columbus, Ohio and Behr’s Funeral Home in Dubuque, Iowa. We invite you to share a fond memory or condolence by visiting www.schoedinger.com or www.behrfuneralhome.com.