Joan T. Ryan

Joan Therese Marie Ryan passed away peacefully at the age of 94, on August 6, 2026, at Good Shepherd in Mason City. Joan, affectionally known as Nonnie, was also under the care of St. Croix Hospice.

Joan Therese Marie Ryan was born on September 4 th , 1931, in Canaryville (Chicago), Illinois, to Frank and Mary A. Racine. Joan attended Visitation Catholic School. Joan’s love for Christ and her deep devotion to Mary and the Catholic Church, offered her strength in her trials and joy in her blessings. Joan is known for being a loving, passionate, fierce, protective, nurturing woman. She was a Mama Bear gifted with a wicked intelligence guided by an instinctive love for her family and those in her heart. 

Like the Danielle Steele novels she enjoyed reading, Joan’s life centered around love, family, and the Catholic faith. Beginning at a young age, her heart guided her along her life’s journey, when she met Patrick Stack at the age of 16. She, with her Italian beauty and him, with his bluest of Irish eyes, fell in love. From this union, two of Joan’s happiest experiences occurred. Son, Patrick Francis was born in 1949 and daughter, Marilyn Anne was born in 1950. Joan was 17 and 18, respectively. Though their marriage ended in divorce in the early 50’s, Joan, known for her resilience, decided to earn her degree in secretarial school to earn a living for her family. She was employed by Schneider Egg Plant in Chicago and then later by General Foods/Kraft Heinz. Joan, with a head for numbers and a love for organizing, earned the respect from her employers. Joan was proud to provide for herself and family. 

Joan’s life took a turn when John D. Ryan met her in 1977. From the moment he met her, he said he knew she was the one for him. John fell head over heels for Joan. He would often say she reminded him of Ava Gabor. He adored her and lived to see her happy. John was loved by Joan. They were married for 38 years until his passing in 2018. Joan missed John every day until her passing. Joan would say was blessed to gain a daughter in Maureen and son in John, through her marriage to John. 

After John’s passing in 2018, Joan moved to Mason City, to be with her daughter, Marilyn and granddaughter, Tracey and her family. 

Joan will be remembered for her faith, her love for family, her love for Christmas, and the way she smelled or specifically her scent. People would remark about how good she always smelled. She left her lasting impression which was Estee Lauder mixed with a wee bit of Shalimar, wherever she went. 

Because of early heart break, Joan loved being surrounded by beauty and comfort. She loved planting flowers and seeing them thrive. She loved touching base with her family and friends, via in person or on the telephone. In her later years, she enjoyed watching the shenanigans of the brothers on Oak Island, rewatching Downton Abbey, reading her romance novels, playing solitaire on the computer, and keeping her home tidy. 

Joan lived a blessed life and died a graceful death. The family wishes to extend a very warm and grateful thank you to the aides, nurses, and staff at Good Shepherd. Nurses, like Tara, AKA the Boss, by Joan, responded to Joan’s sassy spirit with love and dignity. The family also wishes to thank St. Croix Hospice with the gentleness and kindness they provided Joan during her last three days on earth. The family asks that memorials be given to Good Shepherd and or St. Croix Hospice. 

Joan is preceded in her death by her parents, daughter in law Mary Ellen (Tootsie) Stack, sister Lorraine, brother Tom, and husband John. 

Joan is survived by son Patrick (Kathy) Stack, daughter Marilyn Stack, Step-daughter Maureen (Rick) Mulvaney, and Step-son John Ryan. Grandchildren Tracey (Randy) Cram, Rich (Jill) Stack, Sean Stack, Ryan (Liz) Stack, Matthew Mulvaney, Kelly (Mark) Loudenslagel, Ryan Mulvaney, and Kara (Chris) Chen. Great-grandchildren, Joshua (Rachel) Zwiefel, Zachary (Erin) Zwiefel, Brandon, Carly, McKenzie, Emmie, Izzie, Patrick James, Maeve, Wilson, and Sawyer. Great-great children Daisy Louette Zwiefel and  Everette Korey Zwiefel. She is also survived by many members of her Ryan family such as Sharon, Micheal, Elvira, Colleen, Olivia, and Mary Margaret and many nieces and cousins such as Donna Marie. 

Joan’s funeral will be held in Chicago, Illinois on August 22. She will be buried  alongside her husband John, at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.