Phyllis Fitzekam Ryan

Phyllis Jean Fitzekam Ryan of Lakewood, Colorado entered Eternal Rest on September 13, 2024. 

Phyllis was the first child of Ralph G. and Irene (Kreifels) Fitzekam. She was born September 12, 1934 in Nebraska City, Nebraska. In 1934, her family moved to Mitchell, Nebraska where her father owned and operated Fitzekam Plumbing and Heating. Phyllis graduated from Mitchell High School in 1953, before heading to Loretto Heights College in Denver, Colorado, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts in Home Economics Education. She moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico, where she taught school for two years and met the love of her life, Gordon Edward Ryan. Gordon and Phyllis were married November 29, 1958 in Mitchell, Nebraska. The young couple later moved to Denver in 1959, where they raised their three children Cornelius, Gregory and Laurie. Phyllis was a homemaker until 1965 when she picked up her teaching profession at Alameda Jr. High and settled at Carmody Middle School in 1966, retiring in 1997. She was well respected and a very popular teacher. 

As a mother, Phyllis was loving and very focused on raising her children with Gordon. She was very active with all of her children’s activities, whether it be football and baseball for the boys or cheerleading for Laurie. Phyllis was a wonderful role model for her children, always leading by example. She was kind, loving and supportive. Phyllis had an excellent sense of humor and was an avid sports fan. As a daily Mass attendee, Phyllis was unwavering in her Catholic faith.

Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Irene Fitzekam, her loving husband, Gordon Edward Ryan, son Gregory Ryan, and sister, Kathryn Jancik. 

She is survived by her children, Cornelius Ryan and Laurie (Chris) Heath, her daughter-in-law, Mari Ryan, her siblings, Mary Ann (Troy) Corder and Ralph John (Julie) Fitzekam, her grandchildren, Ryan (Amanda) Heath, Ross (Rachel) Heath, Zach (Emily) Heath, Madeline Heath, Kate Ryan and Rachel Ryan, and her great-grandchildren, Ascher Mae, Hudson, Jude, Beckham and Ivy.