Obituary for ​Lois "Loie" Ryman

Lois went to be with her heavenly father on December 19, 2023, at 2:20 pm.

Lois Arvilla Ryman was born September 30, 1929 at home, in Straight River Township to Guy and Iva Paulson. She grew up there, attending a rural school through grade 8. She graduated from Park Rapids High School in 1948. She attended teacher training at Park Rapids for one year, then taught in a rural school by Wadena/Deer Creek for 2 years before returning to Park Rapids where she taught elementary school for 7 years. She married Roger Erickson and had two children, Nancy and Dean. They then moved to Osseo, Minnesota where she taught in a number of positions, retiring from education in 1990 after 37 years. She attended Bemidji State and St. Cloud State colleges, earning her Bachelor of Science degree and Certification in Remedial Reading and Special Learning Behavior Problems, then University of Minnesota where she received her master’s degree. Special awards and honors included Osseo Teacher of the year – 1974, WCCO Good Neighbor Award – 1974 and Outstanding Teacher of America – 1975. She was a past member of Delta Kappa Gamma.

Lois was very involved with her church over the years as Sunday School teacher, board member, Caravan Director, daily Vacation Bible School Director, Choir, District Cradle Roll Superintendent and Hospitality Chair.

After retiring from education she did volunteer work with Sherburne National Wild Life Refuge, SOWERS (Servants-On-Wheels-Ever-Ready) all around the U.S. for 16 years, RSVP (Retired Seniors Volunteer Program), Elk River Heritage festival, the Red Cross, Lite Rail Demonstrations, Salvation Army, Blood Mobile, Volunteer Income Taxes – Federal and State, and Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids (20 years in 2010),

Lois is survived by daughter Nancy, son Dean and stepchildren Jennell and Donald. Her grandchildren are Angela, Christine, Jennifer, Alicia, Russell and Julie. She is survived by 18 great grandchildren and two great- great grandchildren.

Lois was preceded in death by husband Daryl, all grandparents and parents and all sisters and brothers, Arvis, Marvin, Clarence, Vernon, Roy Lee, Warren and Ann.

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 11AM at Evans-Nordby Funeral Home, 34 2nd Street NE, Osseo. Visitation one hour prior to the service.

Internment will be in Park Rapids Cemetery.