Denise A. Ryan

Denise Arlene Ryan, age 63 of De Pere, WI went home to the Lord peacefully at home on September 16, 2026. Born in Lakewood, Ohio, to Howard M. and Diane (Everett) Mason, she lived a life defined by love: for her Lord, her children, and the people others overlooked.

A graduate of Iowa State University in architectural interior design, Denise worked as a designer before choosing her greatest joy: being a full-time mom. Two of her four children have Down syndrome, and that gift shaped her life’s work. She gave her heart to people with special needs and anyone facing a hard season, meeting them where they were and leaving them with hope and purpose.

Her faith was the foundation of everything. She loved the Lord and served Him by serving others. An accomplished potter, she shaped clay with the same patience she gave people.

Her greatest passion was her children. She sent them out with three words from her father, who spent his career in the machine tool industry: “Give it steel.” Go do your very best. That is her legacy.

Denise is survived by her husband, William "Bill" Emmet Ryan IV; her children, Olivia "Livi" Ryan, Victoria "Tori" L. Ryan, William "Will" E. Ryan V, and Alexandria "Allie" M. Ryan; her parents, Howard and Diane Mason; her brothers, Darren, Marc, and Sean Mason; and her sister, Georgianna "Georgi" O’Quaye.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00AM on Friday, October 16th, 2026, at Appleton Alliance Church, 2693 Grand Chute Blvd, Appleton, WI 54913. All are welcome.

In honor of Denise, memorial contributions (instead of flowers) may be made to Kenya Works, which empowers Kenyans in vulnerable circumstances to overcome poverty: www.kenyaworks.org