Jim Ryan

James “Jim” Kevin Ryan, 71, passed away on May 25, 2026, in Avoca, IA. He was born on September 20, 1954, to Robert and Joyce (Fisher) Ryan in Lincoln, NE.

Jim was a hard worker, putting in countless overtime hours at Lincoln Electric System as a Gas Turbine operator. After 44 years at LES, he retired and looked for new projects to fill his time. Moving to Avoca, IA, in 2020, he joined the Golf Board and enjoyed helping to improve the course by planting trees, landscaping, and organizing a men’s golf league.

Growing up, Jim enjoyed showing horses, playing sports and pestering his big brother, John.Jim loved spending time with his family, his Harley-Davidson motorcycles, vacations in Okoboji, camping at Branched Oak Lake, hunting, hot dogs, and “big juicy steaks”.He never met a stranger, making new friends wherever he went. Once a friend, you were always a friend.Jim was warm-hearted, generous, and loved to make people laugh.

Jim is survived by his wife, Rhonda; daughter, Jamie (Shawn) Sexson; son, Nicholas (Tosca) Ryan; stepdaughters, Rebecca Warner and Suzanne Warner; grandchildren, Taylor (Connor) Churchill, Maxwell Kvittem, Ansley (Dylan) Metcalf, Seth Cayette-Ezzell, Kristen Sharkey (Cori Hofmeister), Janessa Bartek-Ryan, and Brooklyn Ryan; great-grandchildren, Oliver, Archer, Wyatt, James, and Meyer; brother, John (Kim) Ryan; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jim and Roxanne Hester, Jeane Martin, Jim and Robin Rittenberger, and Shirley Hogeland; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, son, Joseph Ryan, and brothers-in-law, Rodney Hogeland and Bruce Martin.

Memorials are designated to the American Cancer Society.