Donald Laverne Ryan

Donald ?Duck? LaVerne Ryan, of Longmont, Colorado, died Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at Sierra Vista Healthcare Center in Loveland. He was 83 years old.Don was born August 7, 1922 at Puritan Mines, Colorado, to Robert Francis and Anna Laura (Fry) Ryan. He moved to Longmont with his family as a young boy. After graduating from Longmont High School in 1942, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and rose to the rank of Sergeant. He retired from the Air Force in 1964.On May 7, 1970, Don married Ilene M. Hansen in Reno, Nevada. The couple made their home in Longmont.Mr. Ryan had worked for Gould Battery and Longmont Mountain View Cemetery. He also worked nearly 13 years for the City of Longmont?s Waste Water Department until his retirement in 1986.He was active in several community organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2601, El Jebel Shrine, The Colorado Consistory, and the St. Vrain Masonic Lodge, AF & AM #32. He had served as Governor of the Loyal Order of Moose, and President of the Longmont and Loveland Shrines. He also enjoyed playing golf, camping and volunteering with children at the Shriner?s Hospital.Don is survived by his wife, Ilene Ryan; his brother-in-law, Allen Hansen; and his mother-in-law, Irene Hansen, all of Longmont; his son, Don Ryan; his daughter, Laurie Ryan; three sisters, Helen Stiegler and her husband, Vern, of Longmont, Patty Blado of Bakersfield, California, and Maxine Jarvis of Bakersfield, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Lynn M., Bus, and Robert L. Ryan; and by three sisters, Connie Brummond, Doris Fleming and Peggy Spadi.Family will greet visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2006 at Howe Mortuary, Longmont. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 20, 2006 at the Mortuary. Reverend Mark Peterson of Bethlehem Lutheran Church will officiate. Interment will follow at Foothills Gardens of Memory.Memorials may be made to the Shriner?s Hospital for Crippled Children, c/o: El Jebel Temple, 4625 W. 50th Ave., Denver, CO 80212 or Hospice of Larimer County, 7604 Colland Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525.