Wanda M. Ryner

Wanda Mae Ryner, 81, of Gerlaw, Illinois, passed away on March 11, 2026, at Legacy Estates in Monmouth.

Born on January 25, 1945, in Fort Madison, Iowa, Wanda was the daughter of Edgar and Helen (Overhulser) Sheets. Raised and educated in Iowa, she graduated from Van Buren County High School in Keosauqua in 1962 and went on to attend Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, Missouri. In Keosauqua on June 7, 1964, she married John H. Ryner, who survives her.

A devoted farmwife and homemaker, Wanda worked as a secretary at Gamble’s in Monmouth and M&W Ag in Alexis. She later served as a teacher’s aide at Warren Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School, and Galesburg High School. She found great joy in gardening, canning, crocheting, quilting, sewing, and exercising at the YMCA. Wanda cherished watching her grandchildren in their sports and activities, cooking for family and friends, and gathering with her girlfriends for lunch. She and John were founding members of Countryside Bible Church, now known as Highpoint Church, in Monmouth.

Wanda is survived by her husband, John Ryner; sons, John (Catherine) Ryner of Galesburg, Joe (Sara) Ryner of Colchester, and Jeff (Chrissi) Ryner of Alexis; her grandchildren, Jordan (Karen) Ryner, Joshua (Myiah) Ryner, Rodel Ryner, Jonas Ryner, Jannus Ryner, Joshua Plattner, Samuel (Day) Ryner, Lilly Mae (Avery) Krahl, Max Ryner, L.J. Barry, Brooke (Brandon) Walker, and Blake (Breanna) Ryner; great-grandchildren, Aaliyah Cordes, Dacheus Ryner, Blaire Ryner, and Rhett Walker; and sister-in-law, Patricia Kane. She was preceded in death by her parents; her aunt and uncle who raised her, Gene and Hazel Alexander; her infant daughter, Julie Katherine Ryner; her siblings, Rosalee (Don) Davis, Don Alexander, Leon Alexander, and Connie Street; brother-in-law, Larry Kane; her lifelong best friend, Lois Kinzer; and several nieces and nephews.