Jean M. Ryks, 81, of Austin, Minnesota, died Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home.

Jean Marie Larson was born July 15, 1934, in Buffalo Center, Iowa, to Henry and Inez (Jordal) Larson. She grew up in Austin and attended Austin Public Schools. Her training at the Austin Area Vocational Technical Institute prepared her to become a county health aide for Mower County. On April 30, 1955, Jean married Ben Ryks in Mason City, Iowa. The couple raised five children. Ben passed away in 1972. In her leisure time, Jean enjoyed gardening, flowers, outside yard-work, music concerts, bus tours and casino trips. She especially loved the time spent with her family, celebrating everyone’s birthday with a big birthday meal. Jean will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include her children, Verlyn (Suzanne) Ryks of Rose Creek, Minnesota, Larry (Kiola) Ryks of Kansas City, Kansas, Janelle Ryks, Duane (Loie) Ryks, and Kelly Ryks, all of Austin, Minnesota; four step-sons, Marvin Ryks, Jerry Ryks, Elso Ryks, and Bennie Ryks; 10 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren; two sisters, Virginia Bly and Karen Larson, both of Austin; three brothers, Robert (Janet) Larson of Austin, Minnesota, Dick (Jane) Larson of Des Moines, Iowa, and Gary of Minneapolis, Minnesota; many nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Inez Larson; her husband Ben Ryks; and one brother in infancy.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 21, 2016, at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin with Pastor Richard Larson officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. There will be a visitation held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials can be directed to recipient of donor’s choice. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.