On April 5, 2025 Kathy Ailene (Wynn/Lundy) Ryan passed away at the age of 83 at Accura HeathCare of Aurelia. Kathy was the proud mother of four sons, had many friends, and was a well-loved member of the Cherokee community.
Kathy was born on February 2, 1942 in Hamburg, Iowa, to Leo and Thelma (Laird) Wynn. She graduated from Riverton High School. She served her family proudly as an in-home Mom for years before embarking on long and rewarding careers in life insurance and office management in Cherokee and Des Moines. On December 14, 1958, Kathy married Marvin Lundy and together they raised four sons. On January 18, 1997, she married James Ryan in Des Moines where they resided until his death in 1999. Kathy moved back to Cherokee in 2002 and on March 11, 2005, she met her match, Danny Speelman, and they have enjoyed each other’s company ever since, teasing the town, sipping gin and tonics, antiquing, attending concerts and shows together and enjoying their friends.
Kathy had a passion for collecting antiques and decorating. She was an accomplished, avid and prolific crafter, especially sewing and quilting; making quilts and Christmas stockings for each of her sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was a star softball and basketball player for her Riverton Panthers, and easily transitioned to a supporter of her sons’ wrestling teams.
Kathy will lovingly be remembered by her dear friend and companion Danny Speelman; sons Michael Lundy, Mark Lundy, Kevin (Kari) Lundy and Kyle (Karla) Lundy; grandchildren, Luke Drefke, Mason (Karen) Lundy, Kaia (Tommy) Smith, Brackon (Katie) Lundy, Christian, Collin and Cael Lundy, Chris (Melissa) Perrin, and Lyndsey (Brent) Wolfswinkel; great-grandchildren, Amelia and Everett Lundy, Ava Wessels, Thomas, Emerie, and Wren Smith, Vivienne and Rory Lundy, Elijah and Miller Lundy, Blake, Tate, and Chase Perrin, Laney, Addyson, Grady, and Charley Wolfswinkel; sister-in-law Kathy Wynn; niece Sarah (Mike) Schall; nephew Jim (Cristina) Wynn; grand-nieces and nephews Isabel, William Schall, and Leo and Penelope Wynn; step-children Patricia (Arthur) Wolover, Sean (Juanita) Ryan, Laura (Bruce Afton) Ryan and their families; Danny’s daughters Brandy Stines and Rani Speelmon and their families and many friends, too numerous to mention, but always in her heart.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Thelma Wynn, husbands Marvin Lundy, and James Ryan, brother Delbert Wynn and Grandson Shane Lundy.
In lieu of flowers, Kathy encourages donations to Cherokee Regional Hospice Care.
