Brendan Ryan was the youngest of four children born July 22, 1936, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Margaret “Peg” Ryan and John C. Ryan, both of Ireland. He graduated from St. Louis U High in 1954. Brendan went to the University of Missouri-Columbia and graduated from law school in 1961.
Brendan shared 61 years of marriage with the love of his life, Carol Ryan, and adored his family above all things. Brendan was so proud of his four children, Chris Zuendel and her husband Steve Zuendel, Kat Christman and her husband Michael Christman, J.B. Ryan Jr. and his wife Karla Ryan, Susan Ryan Kalina and her husband Ira Kalina. Brendan was a cherished grandpa to Patrick Wetta and his wife Mollie Wetta, Liz Krsnich and her husband Tony Krsnich, Katy Gardner and her husband Brian Gardner, Jessica Feehan and her husband Colin Feehan, Katie Coates and her husband Tait Coates, Leo Wetta and his wife Megan Wetta, Bree Kalina, Eliza Kalina, Sadie Kalina, Teague Christman, J. Brendan Ryan III, Evan Ryan and Tristan Ryan.
Brendan is welcomed into heaven by his great-grandson Rory Hugh Feehan. Brendan was also beloved by his great-grandchildren, Winn and Wally Krsnich, Lael, Sylvie, Roarke and Harvey Wetta, Cameron, Brendan and Jack Gardner, Ella, Tait and Cameron Coates, Addy, Maeve, Anna and Claire Wetta.
Brendan had a storied career as an attorney, 28th ward alderman, St. Louis Circuit Attorney and as a legislative liaison for Governor Joe Teasdale. Brendan spent twenty years as a Circuit Court Judge in St. Louis. After retiring from the bench Brendan worked from age 63 to 84 as a mediator, first at Thompson Coburn and then at Alaris.
When his kids were young, Brendan could often be found coaching one of their athletic teams, singing old college fraternity songs while driving his children to school, playing golf with his friends, eating breakfast with colleagues at Miss Hulling's, or going for a run.
He was quick with a joke and even faster to lend a hand to anyone in need. The Ryan home was known for Sunday evening barbecues where friends and family would often stop by and were always welcomed.
He was an active member of St. Luke the Evangelist Church in St. Louis, Missouri, Immacolata Parish, Clayton, Missouri, Mary Queen of Peace, Webster Groves, Missouri, and then in the last three years at Curé of Ars in Leawood, Kansas.
To read more about Brendan’s life and legacy, copy and paste this link to the article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/former-st-louis-judge-circuit-attorney-brendan-ryan-dies-at-age-85/article_41158592-f4bc-594e-aa8a-1a27ed0b1f09.html
A memorial service will be held at Mary Queen of Peace in Webster Groves, Missouri, on April 23, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. Vincent DePaul Society, c/o Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 676 W. Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves, MO 63119-3597; https://www.osvhub.com/mqpwg/funds
St. Mary’s Food Kitchen, c/o Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Road, Leawood, KS 66206; https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://cureofars.weshareonline.org/St.MarysFoodKitchen__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!cIanyNQRhIv3QCkDYcufJuAnjf7eaS34dIXY-btZSnRTobiYDUG7unLe-Wle0pzexa8iEa530g$
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611; https://secure.qgiv.com/for/pulfibfou/?_ga=2.132684686.1611247.1645636614-544429966.1645636614
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mtmoriah.net for the Ryan family.
