It is with profound sadness that the family of NITA JOAN VAN RYN announces her passing on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the age of 83 years.

She leaves to mourn her family: son, Ronnie (John Alcorn) Burkett; son, Ron (Teresa) Van Ryn and their children, Ashley (Patrick) and Thomas (Preston); son, Lucky (Patsy) Van Ryn, their daughter, Melissa (Taylor) and their children Hadley, Brynlee and soon-to-be born Deklen; daughter, Connie Smith, and her sons Aaron (Emily) and Austin; and daughter, Sandy (Louie) Fazekas, their daughter, Alex (Dustin) and their children Olivia and Brooklyn, and their daughter, Josey (Andrew).

Mom was beaten to the Pearly Gates by her parents, her favourite older brother, Oren, and many other family members and friends.

Nita Joan Van Ryn was born on October 19, 1936 in Mountain View, AB to loving parents, Ivan & Clara Beane. She was the first little sister to Oren and Kay, and fierce big sister to Sandy and Laurie. They lived on the beautiful Birdseye Ranch just outside of Waterton Lake Park. She got her schooling in the area and her first job was at Temple City Pharmacy in Cardston. She would later work at Waterton Lakes Hotel at the front desk, where she also happened to meet Tom. The couple was married on December 13, 1958 and lived in Fort Macleod, then on the Harsany Ranch west of Granum, and finally settling in Lethbridge. They bought their first house in 1965 by St. Basil's School and the family lived there until 1975, at which point they purchased a larger home.

She worked hard all of her life, from Thriftway Drugs in the evenings to Save On Foods where she eventually retired from. But even then she worked in the kitchen at Perlich Auction for many years. She was proud and fiercely independent, choosing to stand alone and do it her way.

She loved the outdoors, camp fires, a good game of Yahtzee, and a cold beer with family or friends. She loved all of her grand children, but especially loved doting on her great-granddaughters in her later years and enjoyed their antics. She had a great sense of humour and her witty remarks on any subject will be missed. She won't miss having her knees being teased or tickled. She loved sewing when she was younger and the girls often had matching outfits made from scratch and from the heart. She also taught her boys how to cook basic foods because she was an early feminist we believe. She left a mark on many people in the world, and so many have commented that her smile and spirit could light up a room. Her doctor's were impressed with her resilience and resolve at how she chose to fight her battle with quiet dignity. Our "Scottish Thistle" was a warrior right to the end. Like so many of her generation, she was teaching us a lesson right up to the end...

The family would like to extend a huge thank-you to Sharon and the staff at Cedar Creek Adaptacare Lodge for the exceptional care they offered to Mom.

A Celebration of Nita's Life will be held outdoors and announced in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nita's name to the Jack Ady Cancer Centre (c/o Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, 960 - 19 St. S, Lethbridge, AB T1J 1W5).