Dortha "Dot" E. (Oster) Ryan

On January 5th, 2021 Dortha "Dot" E. Ryan passed away peacefully at home and was welcomed into heaven by God. Dortha was 97 years young, born on June 13, 1923 in Michigan City, IN, to Alfred and Almeda Oster.

Dot, known to many, was always talking, smiling, and enjoying life. On July 3, 1954 in La Porte, IN, she married James "Jim" Ernest Ryan, who preceded her in death on October 12, 1994.

Dortha is survived by her 5 daughters, Valerie M. Blind, Glenna M. Ott, Sheila E. (Carl) Galloway, Joyce L. (Dave) Harshman, and Tammi L. (Rob) Merrill, all of La Porte; 13 grandchildren, Cheri (Jim) Stahl, Diana (Rob) Kuehl, Jeff (Lana) Hough, Shelli Leal, Tim (Johnna) Ott, Amy (Kent) Lutterman, Steven (Katie) Galloway, Lisa (Tedd) Bradford, Monica (Lavon) Oke, Jody Ryan, Robbie Merrill, Jennifer Merrill, and Jeremy Merrill; 28 great-grandchildren; 7 great, great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded by her parents; siblings, Charles Oster, Clara Satoski, Thelma Matthewson, and Karl Kirk; and son-in-laws, Terry Ott and John Blind.

Throughout her life Dot touched many lives and worked for many local La Porte retailers, Levine’s, Harvey’s, and JC Penney to name a few. In 1985, she retired from Bernel Foam.  She was a member of La Porte Missionary Church, the VFW, and the La Porte YMCA. Most LaPorteans knew Dot’s smiling face and enthusiasm from her endless hours of volunteering at the YMCA. If you were up before dawn, then Dot welcomed you at the “Y” as she opened up at 4 am with “shot of dot.” The YMCA Board of Directors created a “volunteer of the year” award named after Dortha Ryan and her countless hours and years of volunteer service to the community.

Dortha loved her girls and big family, church, dancing, and music. She enjoyed her summer Thursday nights Arts in The Park, Sunday church services, and countless hours of family times and events. She is the matriarch of the large family and will be missed by us all more than words can express.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, January 9th, 2021 at La Porte Missionary Church.  Pastor Carl Galloway and Pastor Steve Galloway will be officiating.  Burial will follow at Patton Cemetery.

A time of visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the church.

Due to the recent Governor's Order, anyone attending the visitation and/or service is required to wear a mask and practice social distancing of six feet.

Memorial donations may be made to La Porte Missionary Church - Building Fund, 104 E. 18th Street, La Porte, IN 46350 or the donor's choice.

Condolences may be shared with the family on www.cutlercares.com.