Joseph Ryan, Jr.

Joseph B. Ryan, Jr., 84, died peacefully April 14, 2016, from Parkinson related causes, surrounded by family at his home in West Des Moines, Iowa.

A memorial service was held on Wednesday, April 20, at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, Des Moines, immediately followed by a celebration of life reception at Edgewater, West Des Moines.

Joe lived a wonderful life. He loved two great women, had a family who adored him, was a success in business, and had many dear friends.

Not long after Joe was born in Hollywood, Calif. on May 12, 1931, his family moved to Colfax, Iowa. In 1937, Joe moved to Des Moines and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1949. He attended the University of Iowa and was very active in his Beta Theta Pi fraternity and the campus R.O.T.C.  Joe received his Bachelors degree from Drake University in 1953.  After graduation,  Joe served several years in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Alaska.  Joe and his first wife, Anne, were married in 1953. They spent 40 happy years together and raised three daughters.  Anne died of cancer in 1993.

Joe enjoyed considerable success in the field of business, culminating in serving as CEO of Delavan, Inc. a company with international manufacturing sites and clients.  Always very active in local and state affairs, Joe served on numerous boards, committees, and state commissions, a few included were: the Blank Park Zoo Board, West Des Moines Board of Appeals, State of Iowa Health Facilities Council, and the West Des Moines Development Corporation. Joe’s business acumen was sought after by numerous boards, a few included were: Cottingham & Butler, St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, and the American Business and Industry. In 1999, Joe was recognized as WDM’s Man of the Year for his numerous contributions to the community.

Joe met Madonna in 1994 and they married two years later.  He shared with her his love for snowmobiling, lake activities, and travel. The two blended their families and shared a full and beautiful life together for the next 22 years.

Those left to honor Joe’s memory include: his cherished wife, Madonna McGuire Ryan, of West Des Moines; his five daughters, Laura Anne Hayes (Timothy Hayes, deceased) of Des Moines; Jane M. Skogstrom (Michael Sipe) of Minneapolis, Minn.; Susan E. Ryan of Stillwater, Minn.; Joan L. Skogstrom (Philip Pitzen) of Urbandale, Iowa; Mary Kathryn Lampright (Steve Campbell) of Woodbury, Minn.; by his 10 grandchildren, Jessica Ruth (Alan); Susan Pitzen; Sara Ryan Barba (Luis); John Sipe (Tiffany); Allison Ryan; Joseph Ryan; Anne Lampright; Jacob Kuyper; Lauren Lampright; and Megan Lampright; and by his three great-grandchildren, Sydney, Benjamin and Isabella Ruth; and by his cousins, John and Alice Butler.

Preceding Joe in death were his wife, Anne Welch Ryan; and son-in-law, Timothy Hayes.

In honor of Joe and in lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the JBR Memorial Fund created to gift Edgewater residents a flower garden, and a new sailboat for the sailing school in Clear Lake.  Send memorials to: JBR Fund, 9225 Cascade, #2214, West Des Moines, IA 50266.