Alice R Ryan

Alice Rose (Sorrell) Ryan, 87, was reunited and laid to rest along with her beloved husband John Robert "Bob" Ryan (Sept. 16th 1931 - Sept. 27th 1998) on March 4, 2023.

Alice was born on September 17th 1935 in St. Ignatius to Annie C. (Finley) Sorrell and Ernest L. Sorrell. Alice was the oldest of 14 children.

Alice began her education at the Ursulines and also attended various schools in Idaho and Washington as her family traveled picking apples, potatoes, and training hops. In her words, "following the harvest". She graduated from the 8th grade at the Ursulines and was attending Mission High school when she met and married Frank "Porky" McClure on December 1, 1951. They had three children, Jay, Lonie, and Les. They later divorced. While attending business college in Missoula, Alice met John R. Ryan on a blind date and were soon married on May 2, 1959. John adopted the three older kids and together they had two more children, Tim and Shawn to complete the family.

Alice and Bob spent many years making happy memories in their house on Missoula Ave. having family BBQ's and picnics in the back yard and following their kids sporting events. Later, after all the kids had graduated, they moved to Seeley Lake where they loved to spend time with family gathering firewood, picking huckleberries and snowmobiling, drying meat and lots of good campfires. Alice was always by Bob's side as they took bumpy mountain rides looking for rocks, wildflowers, and scouting old snags for firewood. These were happy times for them. 

Alice and Bob were both very creative and loved making things with their hands-Alice with her beadwork, sewing, knitting, and needle point and Bob enjoyed tinkering in his garage making woodworking projects of all sorts, including bird houses, and boats for his kids to play with in the back yard ditch. They both enjoyed working in the yard, especially with their rock gardens. But most of all, they worked hard at creating a beautiful life and home for their family. Over the years Alice and Bob enjoyed spending time with her siblings attending picnics at the Bison Range, trips to the Medicine Tree, and annual family reunions at Blue Bay. They were a team until September 27, 1998 when Alice suffered the loss of her partner in life and beloved husband. Before Bob's passing they vowed to be together again and that they would be buried with one another. 

Alice moved to Polson in 2000, where she enjoyed her home on Finley Point, while always wishing to have Bob by her side to enjoy the lake view. She also found comfort and companionship in her little dogs Rosie and Tish. One of Alice's great passions was her love for rummage sales and bargain hunting was a special talent she possessed. 

Alice lived her life with quiet strength showing her children and grandchildren how to stay strong and face the wind. Most importantly, both our parents taught us that no matter what life brings, walk with kindness and love unconditionally. Though we are happy they are "together again", they will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts. We cherish the good memories they left behind. Thank you for loving us Mom and Dad and for giving us a beautiful life.

Survivors include four children: Lonie Smith (Darrell) of Finley Point, Les Ryan of Missoula, Tim Ryan (Rae) of Finley Point and Shawn Ryan (Ted Ostheimer) of Stevensville; five grandchildren: Evan Smith (Mel), Marlee Ostheimer, Casey Ryan (Hannah), Kailun Ostheimer (Heather) and Kelly Sellers; 8 great-grandchildren: Kendall and Scarlett, Dresyn Sellers, Ellis Cahoon, Carter Sellers, Isaac, Zoe, and Ian Ostheimer; four sisters: Ida Curley, Eva Anderson (Reed), Gigi Yazzie (Curtis), Judy Harlow; three brothers: Joe Sorrell, Gene Sorrell (Anna), Dan Sorrell (Darcie); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Proceeded in death by: parents Annie and Ernest Sorrell; husband John Ryan, son Jay Ryan; grandson Jason Nistler; infant sisters Judy and Jenny; sister Karen Decker; and brothers Ernest Sorrell Jr. (Rawhide), Jim (Bo) Sorrell, and Wesley Sorrell.

Pallbearers were Arnold Torosian, Victor Montoya, Bob Curley, Seamus Maguire, Mike Ryan, Thom O'Hara.

Honorary Pallbearers were Gordon Williams, Kevin Howlett, Reed Anderson, Jr.

Rosary was held March 7th at the Longhouse. Mass was held March 8th at St. Ignatius Catholic Mission Fr. Victor Cancino S.J.- Celebrant. Burial was at Synelmn Sntmtmne Salish Cemetery in St. Ignatius.

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