Hannelore "Hannah" E. Ryan

Hannelore E. Ryan 71, of DeKalb passed away Sunday, January 24, 2021 at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital after a strong battle with lung cancer.  She was born November 23, 1949 in Heilbronn, Germany and was the daughter of Alfred and Lotte (Dorn) Dreher.

She married James W. Ryan on June 11, 1966 at St. Nicklaus Church in Heilbronn, Germany.  In 1986 she started Midwest Tree Service in DeKalb.  Hannah was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb and she also was a member of Women of the Moose in DeKalb.  She loved playing bingo at the Elk's Club in DeKalb, knitting, the occasional trip to the boat and she was an amazing cook.  She loved spending time with her family, especially Sunday night family dinners with all the kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, friends, and anyone else that would just stop by.

She also enjoyed yearly trips in the motorhome with grandkids to Orlando, FL and was always willing to try something new.  For example, an ATV trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota.  While continuing to be there for her children, she managed to work extra jobs starting in the laundry department at the DeKalb Public Hospital to a nursing assistant at the county home and the DeKalb Clinic as a maintenance supervisor for over 12 years.  She spent over 40 years involved with the Boy Scouts as a Den Mother with Pack 148, getting three of her sons and her grandson to the highest achievement and rank Eagle Scout with Cliff Golden and Troop 33 in DeKalb.

Hannah had the strongest loving heart with so many new friends and family throughout the years.  She made it a point to attend as many wrestling meets and other sporting events of all her children and grandchildren.  She was always willing to give back by donating her time helping victims of super storm sandy by organizing a local clothing drive and transporting all the items to New Jersey.  She was willing to dive into the business and get her hands dirty by dragging brush, driving a dump truck, crawling under equipment, and supervising a handful of workers.

Survivors include; husband James of DeKalb, five sons; James (Amy) Ryan of DeKalb, Michael Ryan of DeKalb, DaRin (Nicole Fleming) Ryan of DeKalb, Alexander Ryan of Germany, and Francis Ryan of DeKalb. Grandchildren; Tyler Ryan, Stacy Ryan, Darien Ryan, Joseph Ryan, Briley Ryan, Heather Ryan, C.J. Ryan, Alex Ryan Jr, Axle Ryan, Tori Fleming and Ben Fleming.  Six greatgrandchildren.  One brother; Martin (Marina) Dreher of Germany and two sisters; Marianne Thomas of Ohio and Beate Dreher of Germany.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

The family would like to thank the nurses and ICU doctors at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital for being very accommodating in their time of need.

Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, January 29, 2021 at 10:30am at St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb.  Burial of cremains will be held at a later date in St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Ransom, IL.  A walk- through visitation will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2021 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Finch Funeral Home in DeKalb allowing 50 people in at a time and a private family wake service at 7:00pm.  Due to Covid-19 regulations masks and social distancing will be enforced at all services.  Memorials can be made to a Breast Cancer Awareness charity of your choice. A celebration of life will be held at a later date this summer.  Arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.