Friday, October 15, 10:30 AM

Ryan, Mary Ethel (Kocourek) 94, Edina, passed away September 15, 2021. Mary was born on November 8, 1926, in Minneapolis, graduated Washburn HS in 1944, and married Paul on June 6, 1953. They raised their five children in MN. Family was Mary's life focus. She was frequently surrounded by her loving family during summers at the cabin in Crosslake and at family gatherings in Edina, NY, CO, and WI. She loved to cook and have large family meals with favorite recipes. She encouraged a love of reading in her children and grandchildren. She was an artist who studied Bavarian Painting with Pipka, giving her family treasures and embellishing birthday cards with her designs. She was active in the community and a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for over 50 years, participating in Bible study, the St. Francis Guild, St. Stephen's Ministry, Loaves & Fishes, and served as a Eucharistic Minister for thirty years. She was a long-time election judge in Edina and was involved in the Catholic League of Women. Mary lived her life wonderfully, remaining independent to the end. She is preceded in death by her husband, Paul, her parents Albin and Mae (Quinn) Kocourek, her brother Francis Kocourek, and sister-in-law Mary Kocourek. Both sides of her family were early farming pioneers in the Minnesota Territory, the Kocoureks settling in a Bohemian community in Minnetonka and the Quinns with the Irish in Stillwater. She is survived by Michael and Shirley Ryan of Green Bay, WI; Edward Ryan and Deborah Quan of Southampton, NY; Mary and Alfred Barnes of New York City; Teresa and David Lassegard of Minneapolis; and Kathleen and Scott Nisbet of Denver, CO. Loving Grandmother of Jon and Ashley Ryan, Vanessa and Bradley Day, Lauren and Colleen Ryan; Winslow and Kai Ryan; William and Paul Barnes; Anthony and Matthew Lassegard; Ryan, Sean and Sara Nisbet; and Great-Grandmother of Madelyn Day and Hudson Ryan. Also survived by her brother Edward J. and Julianne Kocourek and many nieces and nephews. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am on Friday, October 15, 2021. Visitation begins at 10:00 am. Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 5071 Eden Ave. Edina, MN. Interment following at St. Margaret Catholic Cemetery, Minnetonka. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family will be distributed to The Cookie Cart and Feed My Starving Children or can be made directly through their websites. Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996