Karen Rae Ryan

Services for Karen Rae Ryan, 68, formerly of Union, Illinois, recently of Frankston, Texas will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home with the Very Rev. James Rowland officiating. Mrs. Ryan passed away Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Tyler. She was born December 26, 1955, in Durant, Oklahoma to Lenis McCurry and Maxie McClendon McCurry. Karen grew up in both Oklahoma and Illinois and graduated from Tupelo High School, in Tupelo Oklahoma. Through her brother Randy, Karen met the love of her life, Billy. Karen and Billy were married in Illinois during the blizzard of November 1976. After spending the early years of married life in both Illinois and Oklahoma, they finally settled in the Marengo/Union Illinois area. Their favorite daughter was born in August of 1980. Karen was held in high regard as an employee at Techalloy/Central Wire, in Union, IL for 34 years. Many of those years, she held the position of Inventory Control Analyst. Karen loved to dance, she was always happy when she caught the biggest fish, and she had the greenest thumb of anyone around. She and Billy would frequently be found scouring local flea markets for unique treasures. Family was the most important to Karen. She was the glue that held everyone together and would do her darndest to get it done. Among her family, Karen’s nicknames were Martha & Mrs. Clause. She could put her special touch on anything to make it just right. This talent was displayed on a larger scale when she opened her gift basket business, The Basket Case. She really enjoyed decorating for any holiday but was most proud of her Santa display at Christmas time. She would make Christmas feel so magical. She was also the first person to remember special things about anyone. Her greatest gift was to nurture. She wanted to celebrate the achievements and special moments with you but would also be right there holding your hand or making you something to eat to help you get through any tough times. And boy could she cook. If Karen was at home and not cooking, cleaning, or working with her flowers, you would most likely find her relaxing on the back porch. She would usually be drinking coffee or moscato, admiring her beautiful flowers and be excited to see her yellow finches and hummingbirds. In recent years, Karen’s greatest joy was spending time with her granddaughter Emmy. Karen Rae was preceded in death by her mother Maxie and father Lenis McCurry, brother Randy McCurry and sister-in-law Barbara McCurry. She is survived by her loving family including her husband of 47 ½ years, Billy Ryan, her daughter Kelly Ryan Brown and husband Chad, sister Jana Harrison, brothers Terry McCurry & Scott McCurry and wife Brenda, sisters-in-law Gayl Ryan and husband Denny, Rae Ryan Barry, and husband Ken, one beautiful granddaughter Emmerson Jean Brown, 3 nieces, 4 nephews and many other family and friends that she loved dearly.

Karen Rae Ryan

December 26, 1955 - May 18, 2024