Obituary of Josephine Ryan

Josephine Ryan

(March 28, 1932 - February 3, 2022)

Josephine Ryan of Camrose, AB, formerly of Macklin, SK, passed away on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at the age of 89 years.

Josephine (Mildenberger) Ryan was born on March 28, 1932 and raised on the family farm south of Primate, SK. She was the youngest of 13 children in the blended family of Jacob Midenberger Jr. and Anna (Schaefer) Mildenberger. Times were difficult and extended family members shared the home. Josephine grew up with her numerous nieces and nephews as playmates. German was the spoken language of the household and she learned to read, write, and speak English upon starting grade one at Falconhurst School. Her formal education ended at the age of 16.

Lloyd Ryan and Josephine Mildenberger were married November 7, 1953 and farmed north of Primate, SK. Busy year-round with household and outdoor chores, she proved anything and everything was possible. She developed many talents but she was the most noted for her exceptional baking and sewing skills. The family moved into Macklin, SK in 1974. Josephine, never one to sit idle, re-entered the workforce. She worked at Hauck’s Grocery, the Golden Twilight Lodge and at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Nothing pleased Josephine more than to have friends and family over for a game of cards. Of course, the evening was not to her satisfaction until you had been served coffee and an assortment of home-made baking. She loved German music and dancing, particularly the polka. She possessed a lovely singing voice and excelled at singing harmony.

Josephine was predeceased by her husband Lloyd (2016); and daughter Mary (1955). She was also predeceased by her parents, Jacob Jr. and Anna Mildenberger; and most siblings Rosalie, Adam (Anna Schoenfeldt), Barbara (Felix Schamber Sr.), Angelina, Raymond (Magdelena Werner), Katherine Dieser (Joe H. Stang), Henry Dieser (Katie Schulmeister), Frank, Anna, Christopher, John (Aloysia Bichel), Joseph (Josepha Dewald), Leopold (Magdeliene Dielschneider); and brother-in-law Leo Doetzel.

Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma is dearly missed and remembered by her family: Dianne Sieben (Terry), their children Michael Sieben (Charity) (and their family Nomi, Gabriella, Lilith, Jethro and Mollyann), Shawn Sieben (Kaitlyn) (and their family Natalie and Nathan), and Danielle Sieben; Maureen Ryan; Audrey Vogel (David), their children Adam Vogel (Kate) (and their family Dain, Connor, Paige, and Amber), and Sara Van Der Putten (Brad) (and their son Marshall), and Eric Vogel (Lily); Duane Ryan (Dee+); Dennis Ryan (Crystal), and their daughter Jessica; and Donald Ryan. Josephine is survived by her sister Mary Doetzel; two brothers-in-law Ernest Ryan and Raymond Ryan; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Due to Alberta Heath restrictions, a private funeral mass was held. The funeral mass was live-streamed at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 15, 2022, from the St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church website: https://stfxcamrose.caedm.ca. A recording of the funeral mass will be made available on the St. Francis Xavier Church website after the service.

If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Josephine's memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, or to the Lakeview Cemetery (Box 280 Macklin, SK S0L 2C0).