Catherine Christine Ryan

Catherine Christine (Katie) Ryan, 40, of Fort Collins, passed away on May 21, 2015.
Katie was born in St. Paul, MN, in 1974. She graduated from St. Paul Central High School in 1992. She moved to Fort Collins and earned a bachelor's degree from Colorado State University in 1998. Katie selflessly devoted her life and her career to compassionately caring for children and adults with disabilities, seniors, animals of all kinds and any being finding themselves in a moment of need.

Katie was a proud Gemini; thrift store enthusiast, artist and gardener; a lifelong scholar; a camping, hiking, mountain and nature lover; a free spirit; a fun-loving jokester and endless source of belly laughs; a wayward-pet whisperer; a rescuer of forsaken animals; and a doting auntie to Collin, the light of her life, who carries on her spirit and continues her playful Gemini legacy.

Katie was a beloved partner, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, cousin, in-law, friend and coworker and a devoted mother to numerous pets of all stripes and spots over the years. She was preceded in death by father John Gary; grandparents Marie and John; grandparents Hazel and Herb (Winter); aunt Jan (Winter); uncle Chris (Winter); cousin Brian (Winter); and many much-adored pets. She is survived by partner Jerediah Burianek; mother Gail (nee Winter); sisters Kelly and Jenny (Soldner); brother-in-law Shane (Soldner); uncles Greg (Marney) and Bruce Winter (Shirley Fedzyn); nephews Collin and Christopher (Soldner); nieces Megan (Considine) and Tamara (Reilly); cousins Heather (Winter) and Shannon (Winter O'Neill); precious pets Annabelle, Bo, Yoda, and Jar Jar Binks; and many dear extended family members, in-laws, friends and coworkers too numerous to list but not forgotten.

Katie was a beautiful human being with a boundless heart who led an exemplary life. Words cannot express how profoundly she will be missed, and her many extraordinary contributions to this world will be forever cherished by all those fortunate enough to have been touched by her life.

Her celebration of life will be held on May 26 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at FoCo Cafe at 225 Maple Street in Fort Collins.

Memorials in Katie's name can be made to Denkai Animal Sanctuary, FoCo Café or Camp St.Croix 532 County Rd F Hudson, WI Attn: Katie Ryan Memorial Fund.