Lawrence “Larry” “Red” Ryan

Lawrence “Larry” “Red” Ryan 82 passed away on Sunday September 14, 2025, at Family Roots Eldercare in Plainview, MN. He was born to Ralph and Eileen (Mahoney) Ryan on April 4, 1943, in Plainview, MN. He graduated from Plainview High School in 1961. Right after high school, Larry worked construction and drove truck for the former Patterson Quarry of St. Charles, MN. In 1963 he started working for AMPI in Rochester, MN, which turned into a 44-year career. In the year 1968, Larry bought and established the Ryan Family Farm. Larry met his wife Donna through a friend on a blind date. They were married on November 20, 1971, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in LeRoy, MN. After they were married, they lived on the Ryan Family Farm east of Plainview. They welcomed a daughter, Erin Marie, in 1981. They were members of St. Joachim’s Catholic Church in Plainview.
Larry loved being a Farmer. It brought him joy to be outside and take care of the land. He took much pride in his crops, lawn, and Red International Tractors! Larry and Donna raised oats, soybeans, and sweetcorn on the Ryan Family Farm. Larry lived in the Plainview area for the duration of his life. He was one of the members of the local coffee crew, who would get together to discuss everything going on in the world. Larry was known as the “who’s who” of the group. During the time that Larry and Donna were married, they became avid dancers. Larry and Donna’s favorite dance was the waltz. They spent many years going to polka fests. A couple of these landmarks included Ellsworth, WI and Gibbon, MN. For many years, Larry and Donna played 500 with a neighborhood card group. Larry and Donna had a love for cars. Throughout the years, they had corvettes they took to car shows in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Larry and Donna were loyal pet owners to their beloved cats, Callie, Sassy, and Lucy
Larry enjoyed going for drives in the country and looking at the crops and then stopping at a local café for a Pepsi. Larry enjoyed dining out with family members and had many favorite restaurants in the area. There was not a parade or church dinner he would miss! Larry was 100% Irish, and you could tell with his red hair and his grin.
Larry is survived by his daughter, Erin and husband Matt Stevenson of Lime Springs, Iowa; four sisters, Donna (Al) Sprick of Lake City, Mary (Bruce) Hurd of Cape Coral, FL, Mailyn (Mark) Yule of Gordon, WI, and Darlene (Terry) Lind of Ellsworth, WI; three sisters-in-law, Joan Ryan of Rochester, Kate Dunagan of Stewartville, and Rita Vodraska of Norwalk, IA; two brothers-in-law, Dave (Tari) Cummings of Worthington, and Dan (Debra) Cummings of Sperry, IA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Donna, three brothers, Jim Ryan, John Ryan, and Ed Ryan, sisters-in-law, Marilyn Ryan, Judy Ryan, and Nancy Strom (Ed’s special friend), and brothers-in-law, Robert “Bob” Dunagan, Frank Cummings, and James “Jim” Cummings.
The Funeral Mass for Larry will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church in Plainview with Father Tojy Jose and Deacon David Dose officiating. The burial will be in St. Joachim’s Catholic Cemetery. Friends and family may visit from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. on Friday, September 19, at Schleicher Funeral Homes, Plainview Chapel and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.
Arrangements entrusted to Schleicher Funeral Homes, Plainview Chapel, the guest register may be signed at www.schleicherfuneralhomes.com