Margaret Louise Ryan
Margaret Louise Ryan, known as Martie, age 82, was born March 2, 1940, to Joel Henry and Goldie Irene (McWilliams) McNichols, at Murray, Iowa. She left this life on May 3, 2022, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.
Martie grew up and attended school in Murray, graduating in 1958. She moved to Des Moines, Iowa to become a dental assistant. She moved to Dallas, Texas for a job then to Texarkana, Texas. It was there she met Travis Allen Ryan. They were married December 12, 1966, in the Texarkana. In 1976, they and their two children, Steve and Jodie, moved to Leon, Iowa.
Martie loved children so spent many years babysitting in her home for local families. She later helped in her husband’s restaurant, Hammer’s, in Leon. They sold the business and retired in 2011. Travis died in 2012, Martie later sold their acreage and moved into Leon.
Martie loved the time she spent with her children and grandchildren. She had a green thumb and loved to tinker with plants and flowers. She also enjoyed time with friends, watching detective shows on TV, and cats.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Travis Ryan; grandson, Zachary Ryan; brothers, Jerry McNichols and Ervin “Curl” McNichols; and sisters-in-law, Sherry McNichols and Barbara McNichols. Those will miss her most are her children, Steve and Susan Ryan of Bellevue, Nebraska and Jodie Bain of Doddridge, Arkansas; grandchildren, Michael & Kassandra Ryan, Rachael Bain, Cole Vinson, Caleb Vinson, Seth & Maci Watts, Cody Burkett, and Mason Burkett; great grandchildren, Logan, Levi, Ella, Luke, Thomas, and Teagan; brother, Gary “Babe” McNichols of Bouton, Iowa; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 7, 2022, with Pastor Terry D. Roberts officiating. Burial will be in the Leon Cemetery, Leon, Iowa.
Memorials may be given to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Martie’s memory.