Ryan G. Squires

Ryan Gregory Squires, age 69, passed away suddenly at home on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, after battling two rounds of lung cancer.

Ryan was born on March 3, 1955, in Winona, to Budd and Catherine (Hoermann) Squires. As a child, Ryan grew up on part of the family farm with his sister and was surrounded by many aunts, uncles and cousins with whom he was very close. The farm was right near Lake Winona, and he thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors with his family, especially his Uncle Jack. He grew up with his grandmother and she instilled a life-long love of all animals as well as her German culture. Ryan spent most of his life in Winona and had many life-long friends. He loved telling stories about how he grew up and adventures he had with friends. He learned general carpentry and masonry while working with his dad at Winona Construction Company, and he used these skills throughout his life doing his own projects.

Ryan graduated from Cotter High School and then moved to Kalispell, Montana, where he attended Flathead Valley Community College and received an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences. While there, he worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a firefighter and park service ranger. He also attended Winona State University for two years specializing in Sociology and Psychology.

In 1977, he married Cynthia Bublitz and they had three children. They later divorced.

After spending a few years in Kalispell, Montana, he moved back to Winona, where he was truly happiest, especially on the Mississippi River. In 1993 he met the love of his life, Lucille (Lucy) Morawiecki, and they married on June 29, 1996. Through this marriage he gained another daughter.

Upon Ryan’s return to Winona, he was the director of the recycling program at ORC, director at Camp Winnebago and maintenance engineer/working supervisor at the Winona Clinic for 14 years.

In 2003 he was able to fulfill his life-long dream of having a cabin on the river when he converted a garage in Indian Creek, Wisconsin, into a cabin. He loved to take people out on his boat and share his love of the river. He also enjoyed golfing, reading, visiting Chicago and Missouri, a good meal, his life-long membership in the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1243, hunting, and fishing. He later joked, though, that he “stopped being angry at the ducks and just enjoyed watching them.” Ryan loved animals and never met a dog he didn’t spoil, often having treats in his pocket even when he no longer had a dog.

Other than the river, Ryan’s favorite thing was enjoying the company of other people and listening to good music. His laid-back personality and easy smile made everyone feel welcome and happy to be around him. He quickly made friends and especially enjoyed his Indian Creek community. He was a proud grandpa and uncle, and pushed through to make 2 trips this spring to see all his grandkids whom he undeniably loved and was so proud of.

Ryan is survived by his wife Lucy; sister, Teresa and her husband Terry Olson; children and their spouses: Katie (Matt) Heaney, Katrina (Chris) Sabino, Anna (James) Jarvis, and daughter-in-law Sarah (Elmquist) Squires; grandchildren Aidan and Alaina Heaney, Vincent and Joseph Sabino, and Lily and Matthew Jarvis, as well as many nieces and nephews with whom he was very close. He was preceded in death by his son, Christopher; parents; and many special aunts, uncles and cousins.

 A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024, from 2-5 PM at the Eagle’s Club, 210 E. 4th St, Winona. 

 In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Winona Area Humane Society.

 Online condolences or memories may be left for Ryan’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.