Lila Mae Ryan

Lila Mae Ryan was born on December 20, 1928, to Elizabeth (Betty) Schram and Herbert Schram in Hillsboro, Oregon. Lila peacefully passed, after a short illness, on September 29, 2024. 

Lila lived in Banks, Oregon for her first three years, then moved to Vernonia, where she later graduated from high school. She was raised by her mother, who worked as a cook at the Elderberry Café in Banks. Lila worked there as a waitress. When her mother died in a car accident, Lila stayed in Vernonia with friends to finish high school. She worked for the family cooking meals and doing housework. She picked fruit and vegetables during harvest season. After graduating, Lila moved to Portland to work as a seamstress making swimming suits at Jantzen Knitting Mill. 

Lila always wanted to be a farmer’s wife. She met Glen Ryan, a farmer, who brought fresh produce into the delicatessen, where she worked in Ontario. Lila married Glen in 1950, farmed alongside him, and maintained the household. They raised their three children, Gay Lee Rasmussen-deceased (Paul), Gary Ryan (Ginny), and Lori Anderson (Jamie).

When Lila and Glen retired from farming, Lila worked for the Ontario School District as a cook for thirteen years.

In 2013, she and Glen moved to Salem, to be near their children. Glen passed away in 2017. Lila lived at Gibson Creek Assisted Living until April 2022. She moved to Prestige at Orchard Heights and lived there until her passing.

Lila enjoyed cooking, gardening, old-time country music, yodeling, painting, and writing. Lila journaled nearly every day of her life.

Lila has four grandchildren: Denise Sprague, Ryan Leavitt, Stacy Ryan, and Julie Ryan. Zachary Sprague is her only great-grandchild. She also has great-great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life at Prestige at Orchard Heights, 695 Orchard Heights Rd. NW, Salem, Oregon will be on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 2 pm.