Edna Rachel Ryken

On Saturday, September 29th, 2018, Edna Rachel Ryken (Brown) of Grand Junction, Colorado went home to be with the Lord after a lengthy illness. Edna was born on March 28th, 1933 in Loma, Colorado, to Vivian and Leona Brown. She was one of 7 siblings: Hester, Gene, and Marcella Wright, Edna, Barbara, Elaine, and Gail Brown. Edna was a 1951 graduate of Fruita High school.

In 1959, Edna married Edward Dale Ryken formerly of Pella, Iowa and they had 59 wonderful years together. Together they had 3 children: Stephen (Karen), Donna, and Paula, 6 grandchildren: Joshua (Vicki), Matthew (Sarah), Stephanie (Kevin), Rachel, Vivian, and Ethan, and 4 great-grandchildren: Damien, Connor, Cooper, and Tucker.

She worked at the telephone company in Fruita and Grand Junction as an operator and later in the business office, as well as many years as a babysitter, and ministered as a preschool teacher at Rainbow Children’s Center of Bookcliff Baptist Church.

Ed and Edna spent 15 winters with friends from all over Canada and the United States at Riverlodge Park and First Baptist Church of Parker, Arizona. They enjoyed fishing, playing cards, crafting, and golfing with their winter friends.

She leaves behind a legacy of both fierce determination and a love of all she came into contact with. She gave her children and the following generations the confidence to know that they could accomplish anything they set their minds to, the conviction that it was their responsibility in life to make a difference wherever they were, and the understanding that the most important thing in the world was to love God and to love others.

She enjoyed dancing the jitterbug, playing cards, hunting, fishing, gospel music, reading, watching the Denver Broncos, and being with her church family.

She loved her family and friends more than she loved herself. She showed that love every day of her life in countless ways. You could not spend a minute with her and not feel her love for you. She was an example of the Lord to all who came into contact with her.

As an active member of Bookcliff Baptist Church for over 40 years, she ministered to young children and loved to sing in the choir.

Visitation will be held at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary on Friday, October 5, 2018 from 4-5pm. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 6th, 2018 at Bookcliff Baptist Church. Following internment at Elmwood Cemetery in Fruita, Colorado, a light lunch will be served at Bookcliff Baptist Church. All are welcome to attend.