Romana Ryant

Romana Ryant, age 82, of Spillville, IA died Monday, October 8, 2012 at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 12, 2012, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, IA, with Rev. George Karnik presiding. Burial will be in the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, Spillville, IA. Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Balik Funeral Home in Spillville. There will be a rosary at 4:00 and a scripture service at 7:00 p.m., at the funeral home on Thursday. There will also be visitation at the Balik Funeral Home from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Friday morning. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Legion of Mary or St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church Romana Catherine (Zeien) Ryant was born on February 28, 1930, near North Washington, Iowa, the daughter of John and Wilhelmina (Schwickerath) Zeien. She graduated from high school at North Washington and worked at the New Hampton Hospital. On October 17, 1950, she was united in marriage to Joseph Ryant of Spillville. They farmed near Spillville for the next thirty-seven years; before retiring and moving to town in 1988. Romana was very active in her church; including the Legion of Mary, assembling layettes, making rosaries, caring for the Grotto of Lourdes, Eucharistic Minister and distributing communion to the home bound, leading the rosary before Mass and altar care. She worked part time at the Spillville Library for ten years and was volunteer coordinator for the Spillville Senior Meal Site and Senior Bingo. Romana was well known for her spirit of giving. She was proud of, and loved, all of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Romana’s survivors include three daughters: Pat Pinter, Cresco, IA; Judy (Richard) Jessen, Ankeny, IA; and Karen (Michal) Hutzel, Mason City, IA. Three sons: Francis (Donna) Ryant, Cresco, IA; James (Denise) Ryant, Spillville, IA; and Gary (Jane) Ryant, Ridgeway, IA. Sixteen grandchildren: Jeff Hulsebus, Dawn (Othello) Rollon, Dana (Joe) Karasek, Chad (Kristin) Pinter, Shane (Elisa) Pinter, Sara (Noah) Parr, Anne (Carl) Piper, Chris (Bonnie) Jessen, Michelle, Mark, & Monica Ryant, Ashten & Zachariah Frana, Chezny Ryant, Jacob & Jennifer Hutzel. Fifteen great-grandchildren: Amber Burkhart, Clay & Zoe Rollon, Kennedy & Kali Karasek, Alexa, Brianna, & Ciara Pinter, Michaela, Josephine & Kathryn Pinter, Konner & Caleb Parr, Grace & Grant Jessen. Three brothers: Louis (Lucille) Zeien & Francis (Rita) Zeien, both of New Hampton, IA, and Vincent (Toddy) Zeien, Ionia, IA. One sister: Agnes Brincks, New Hampton, IA. Romana was preceded in death by her husband: Joseph, one son, John, her parents, one son-in-law: Joe Pinter, two brothers, Alvin Zeien, Elmer Zeien, and one brother-in-law: Guido Brincks.