Rachel Ryan, age 47, died December 6, 2020 after a year long illness. Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, December 10th at Christ the King Catholic Church in Cambridge. Interment will be in Christ the King Catholic Cemetery. Masks are required for those attending the service.
Rachel Christian Ryan entered eternal life on December 6, 2020. Rachel passed in her sleep at
a nursing facility after an almost year long illness. She was loved and will be greatly missed by
her mother, Maureen Ryan and sister, Cathie Hugar (brother-in-law Terry, nephew Joseph and
niece Grace) and brother, John Ryan (sister-in-law Fernanda). Rachel was preceded in death
by her father, Dr. Francis Ryan.
After graduating from Cambridge High School, Rachel completed advanced training in hair
design. Rachel excelled for many years as a hairstylist. Rachel remained very active until her
final year, with her hobbies of Harley riding, fishing and active engagement with many friends.
She was devoted to her animal companion, Isaac. She received great joy from caring for Isaac
and other dogs.
Rachel will be interred at Christ the King Catholic Cemetery alongside her father.
Anne Beaufeaux says
Dear Maureen, Cathie, John and the entire Ryan family, please accept our deepest sympathies on the loss of your daughter and sister, Rachel. We think of you often, Maureen and John. God be with you all and our Mother Mary give you comfort during this difficult time. -Anne & Brian Beaufeaux
Jim and Penni Hergert says
Maureen and family,
Our sympathies to you on Rachel’s passing. She was too young to be taken so soon. May God be there to comfort you .
Sharon Stiteler says
My deepest sympathies to Rachel’s family. She started by doing my hair almost 25 years ago and over the years became a very dear friend. I will miss all the ways she made me laugh, all the brunches, and the wonderful ear she could be. She had such a huge heart and no one will ever replace her in my life.
Beth Johnson says
Rachel was a riding friend. She’ll truly be missed! Such a kind loving soul. She was always a pleasure to be around.
Rachel will truly be missed!
Tootie Martin says
Our condolences to the entire family. May the memories you shared bring you comfort and joy when needed most.
Laura Boyd says
In 1996 I walked into Jon English looking for a new hairstylist, I found Rachel. We were together until her final days at the Hair District. Rachel not only was my hairstylist, but she was also my friend, my mentor, my confidant, my dog lover, my laughing buddy, and my not a real doctor doctor. I have been so sad without her this year and my prayers have been directed everyday for her. She is now in peace with her Dad and Isaacgator. I lift all of you up in prayer. My heart is heavy today.
Maura McCarthy Kroehler says
Rachel was a generous, supportive friend and a talented stylist. We worked together for several years and continued to be friends (and bowling teammates) after she moved on. She was adventurous, hilarious, sensitive and brave. I will always remember her laugh, her gift for inside jokes, her love for Isaac and before him, Jackson. My condolences to everyone who loved her. I wish you peace.
Terry Lien says
Rachel and I met in Cosmetology School at Scot Lewis in Bloomington. We had an instant friendship that lasted for decades. She was always the life of the party and was like a little sister to me. She always found the humor in any situation and we would laugh until our cheeks hurt. She was a talented stylist that worked her way up at Jon English and Denny Kemp, and worked her way to an Independent Contractor at the Hair District with me. Her smile and giggle will stay with me forever. We called each other mashed potatoes and gravy because we were always together. Rest In Peace my lovely friend. Love you more!
Mary Peterson says
A beautiful life and woman taken from us too soon. I will miss her smile and, of course, that infectious laugh. Love you Rach.
Sara Strand Glover says
I met Rachel through a friend when I was in need of a new stylist. She quickly became my friend and we had many crazy adventures camping and tubing down Cannon River. I will remember her quick wit, love of all things furry, creative energy and sass.
I wish you all peace and comfort today, tomorrow and the days to come while you navigate this loss.
Rainer Hess says
Dear Maureen, Cathie and John
The news of Rachel`s death greatly saddened us.
It’s been so many years since I was allowed to be with you as an exchange student. She was too young to be taken so soon. Now she is together with her beloved father and Isaac.
Thinking about you and wishing you comfort and peace.
With heartfelt condolences.
Rainer and Sandra Hess, Germany
Karin says
Rachel was my roommate when I was a sophomore in college. We lived in a big old house in Dinkytown by the U of M. Her room was next to mine and I can still hear her laugh. What a laugh! She was my stylist for my formative years – the utmost professional. And she was the best boundary waters teammate anyone could ask for. Even the rain could not dampen her spirit or that laugh. Rest In Peace, dear friend. My heart goes out to your wonderful family and friends. Love, Karin
Sen says
Our deep condolences to the family. I have known John over two decades and have heard so much the love and bond of the siblings. May her memories be blessings to all.
Melissa weidendorf says
Maureen, Cathy, and John, I am so very sorry to hear of Rachel’s passing. You are all in my thoughts.
Dan Fortier says
Rachel was our hairdresser to start out with and immediately became our friend. She shared many riding stories and favorite restaurants and many favorite recipes with Dan snd I. She gave Dan a cookbook in 2018 and that will be something him and I will cherish for many years…..
Our memories are long and strong and the last us our lifetime….
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and many loved ones and friends……
Dan Fortier and Kim Midlo
Sally Alvarado says
I was so sad to hear this news about Rachel! I have been a longtime friend for almost 25 years, from the time we met, we were instant friends. I have lived in Chicago for some time now, she stood up in my wedding and had remained close to my family as well. I have some of the most cherished memories with her! I was always guaranteed endless belly laughs when we were together, and I will miss her quick wit and funny stories. This is such a terrible loss…… My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.
Amy (Olson) Boettcher says
Deepest sympathies. I have not seen Rachel for many years, but I have hundreds of memories from the first 22 years of my life. I am terribly sorry for your loss.
Christina (Randall) Huesman says
Maureen, Cathie & John,
My deepest condolences on the loss of Rachel. I remember Rachel from our CCD classes at Christ the King. She was always so beautiful inside & out, so friendly & kind.
Eternal rest grant unto Rachel,O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest In Peace.
Ingrid Culp says
I am so saddened the learn of Rachel’s passing. I met Rachel in the late 90s when she became my stylist. She was so good at her job, but more importantly such a delightful person. She loved her family so much and was so sweet to always ask about mine. I feel like we grew up together in a way. Her smile was so bright. I will miss her. I am holding her loved ones in my heart and will remember her fondly always.
Trish Onan says
For some unknown reason I have been thinking of Rachael so much this past week, she also has a birthday coming up on Boxing Day. I am heartbroken about the news of the past year and her passing. Rachael was Fun. We had some hilarious Halloweens together, she loved coming to our cabin. Last year I found a statue of a girl sitting on the dock with a fishing pole, so come spring, summer, and Fall, Rachael will be fishing on Lake Millie. She loved doing hair and was good at it, she did my whole family’s hair and was like family to us. To her siblings, niece, nephew, and Mom, My husband & I send our heartfelt condolences for your loss. She spoke of you all often. Godspeed Rach, I know you are at peace with your Dad.
Andy Anderson says
I met Rachel in Nusery School, I think, but it might have been as late as first grade. We graduated from high school together in 1991. She always made me laugh and she always made me think. Deepest sympathy to her friends and family.
Jil Evans says
I am so sorry to hear of Rachel’s passing. I just want her family and other friends to know that I was blessed by Rachel for many years. After my younger sister died twelve years ago, Rachel was the person I opened up to, instinctually, and she helped me over the years to cope with my loss and anxiety. As others have said, she was our doctor, and she was also fun! I miss her, I miss talking about Issac, I miss seeing her eyes connecting with mine with such a gleeful smile. I am really sorry she has left us – heartbreaking. To her family, I am so sorry for your loss of such a beautiful person, inside and out, who made a difference in other’s lives that will not be forgotten.
Yvonne Anderson says
Ryan family- my deepest sympathy and condolences for the loss of Rachel.
Rachel was a bright light for many of us —her magical talent for styling gave her clients confidence in looking fabulous and big smiles as we left the salon.
Rachel’s dry sense of humor was a joy and kept us in stitches- my tummy would ache sometimes after my appointments and texts exchanges in tears of laughter.
Her generous support for underdogs, sensitive and caring for others and selflessness that expanded to those going through a rough time was her deep rooted compassion even though she too was in need, she found room in her heart for others-always.
She helped me just after my husband passed with love and caring by sharing our love of all things furry!! Fuzzy (Issac) was her child! Our hours of laughter often stemmed from that stubborn adorable ball of fur aka “stinky”—an affinity for rolling!!! Our lake Mille Lacs trip was definitely a smelly ride home that had us reminiscing and laughing for years! Fuzz antics of eating things he shouldn’t, landed in vet visits at all hours- her love for him was mutual as Issac was hers and no one else’s- hed ignore you and only cared about Rachel!! Fuzzy’s passing left a irrecoverable gapping hole in her heart. I am sad.
Rachel’s spirit was strong and the world around her wasn’t easy- yet many didn’t know as her face was always a glow!!! I will miss her light!!! Love you Rachel!!!
Jay Kroehler says
Rachel will be missed and I send my heartfelt wishes to her family and friends. It’s hard to pinpoint or give tribute to a specific memory. Rachel had a way of energizing seemingly any and every situation. She could also dig deep with the sharing of personal things. What a perfect set of skills in a hairstylist. It was the feel good part that made the look good part even better. She was unpredictable as a bowling teammate but you could rest assured that losing with her on your team could, and often was, as fun as winning. Inside jokes built into epic tales of ridiculous proportions. I’ll echo the sentiment, her laugh was exceptional, resounding pure joy unmatched. We enjoyed a great vacation on the Gunflint Trail, signing up to do the Ham Run at the beginning of Spring…maybe a decade ago. She laughed at me and with us so hard that I wouldn’t doubt if they heard us in Canada. She had a lust for life that I liken to her motorcycle engine revving but also a calm cool wisdom of knowing the ride wasn’t always easy. She was dynamic, lived with her whole heart, and words fall short. Rock on in Peace, Rachel.
Jessica Savran says
I saw Rachel as my hair stylist exclusively for about 14 years. The one time (just after I had a baby) I went to someone else only because they came to my house so I didn’t have to transport my newborn, it was a HUGE MISTAKE. Rachel, of course, fixed that mistake and did not say “I told you so,” though she could have!
Rachel was very good at her job. I trusted her completely and relied on her advice and professionalism. She had a real talent for hair. She was also genuinely interested in knowing how things were going for me. And I loved hearing about Isaac.
Incidentally, Rachel is the person who recommended the television show “Schitt’s Creek” to me. I have long been a big fan of Christopher Guest movies and Schitt’s Creek was right up my alley. I then recommended it to my whole family, and it has developed a cult following. She loved it and I loved it.
I last saw Rachel for a cut and color one year ago. I miss her very much. Sending peace to Rachel’s family and friends.
Deborah A Anderson says
“Shitty Shitty bang bang”, is what she told me last week, I agree.
Rachel will forever be in my heart, I miss her. Her wit, sense of humor, kindness, sunny disposition, positive attitude, shenanigans, and plain silliness made my time in her chair and our various outings always fun!
Rest in peace Rachel, I find comfort knowing you are in a better place.
Maureen, Cathie and John, I am deeply sorry for your loss.