Cheryl Ryan, 80, of Minden died peacefully on July 1, 2024 at Bethany Home in Minden. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

A mass celebrating Cheryl's life will be at St John's Catholic Church in Minden at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2024 with Father Evan Winter as the Celebrant. The service will be streamed to the funeral home's Facebook page. A Rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 5, 2024 at St John's Church and visitation with family will follow. Cheryl has donated her body to the Nebraska Anatomical Board for Creighton Medical Students to use for research and study. A private inurnment will be held at a later date following the completion of anatomical donation. The family requests in lieu of flowers, please give memorials in Cheryl's honor to the family for later designation. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden.

Cheryl was born February 13, 1944 to Neil and Betty (Greutman) Wood in Kearney, Nebraska. She grew up on the Wood Ranch north of Sumner. She graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1962 and from Kearney State College in 1966 with degrees in Elementary Education and Music. In 1966, while she was student teaching in Gibbon, she met a young science teacher, Mick Ryan. They were united in marriage in June of 1967.

Cheryl and Mick began their lives together on the family farm north of Heartwell. They later moved into Minden. Cheryl taught in Grand Island, Kenesaw, and Gibbon. She then continued her love of education as a substitute teacher for over 40 years in the Gibbon and Minden school systems.

She was a member of PEO, Daughters of the American Revolution, St John's Altar Society, Hospital Auxiliary, as well as serving on the Minden Library board for years. For over 40 years, Cheryl loved to play bridge with her close friends in Gibbon. She had a green thumb and always enjoyed working in the yard and tending to her garden and flowers. Cheryl had a beautiful singing voice and sang at many weddings when she was younger. Cheryl will always be remembered as a dedicated wife and mother who loved her family immensely.

Survivors include her husband Mick of Minden, son Jeff and wife Laura of Heartwell, daughter Jamie Johnson and husband Scott of Minden. Six grandchildren – Emma, Jack, and Jake Ryan of Heartwell and Ryan, Alex, and Regan Johnson of Minden. She is also survived by brother, Walt Wood of Omaha, and sister-in-law, Anabel Gallagher of Kenesaw, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com .