Catherine Nancy Ryder, 76, of Albany, IL, died Sunday, June 29, 2014, at the Alverno Health Care Facility, Clinton, IA.
Nancy was born March 6, 1938, in Clinton, the daughter of Keith John and Ellen Loretta (Dolan) Higgins. She married Donald E. “Tim” Ryder on August 6, 1960, in Fulton, IL; he preceded her in death on January 23, 2010. Nancy was educated in the Albany Grade School and graduated from Fulton High School in 1956. She then graduated from Mt. St. Clare College, Clinton, in 1958. She taught in the rural Clystic and Union Grove Schools for five years and then operated Hilltop Preschool in Albany for 27 years. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Albany, Albany American Legion Auxiliary, and Tri-Township Heritage. She also was a Cub Scout Den Mother and a Brownie Leader. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and friends, walking, baking, and shopping.
Survivors include her daughter, Beth (Pat) Dickherber of Albany; four sons, Joe (Tammy) Ryder of Geneseo, IL, Jeff (Anna) Ryder of Morrison, IL, Jon (Angie) Ryder of Albany, and Jim (Lori) Ryder of Fulton; 13 grandchildren, Rachel, Jacob and Jeremy Ryder, Mackenzie Ryder, Kayla and Amber Ryder, Lyndsey, Zachery, and Jason Ryder, and Trevor, Timothy, Tanner, and Tucker Dickherber; two brothers, Wayne (Linda) Higgins of Fulton and Tom (Sandy) Higgins of Thomson, IL.
She is preceded in death by her husband; parents; one brother, John Higgins.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 2, 2014, at the McDonald Funeral Home, Fulton, IL.
Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 3, 2014, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Albany, IL, officiated by Revered Matthew Camaioni.
Cremation rites will be accorded, with burial of the cremains in Lusk Memorial Cemetery, Albany, IL.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Albany Ambulance Association, Albany Park Board, or to the Alzheimer’s Association.