Funeral services for Ryan Lee Zwiener, 19, Lawrence, will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Lawrence First Church of the Nazarene, 1470 N. 1000 Rd., with the Revs. Bob Giffin, Don Dunn, and Robby Giffin officiating. Interment will follow in Rock Creek Cemetery in rural Douglas County.
Ryan died Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, at his home, after a long battle with depression.
He was born Dec. 17, 1991, in Overland Park, the son of Raymond and Lisa Hegeman Zwiener. He graduated from Lawrence Free State High School in 2010, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and the wrestling and cross country teams. He later attended Johnson County Community College, and was currently attending Kansas University.
Ryan was working as a meat department clerk at Hy-Vee on 6th Street. He was a member of Lawrence First Church of the Nazarene, the Lawrence Athletic Club, and the Ju-Jitsu Club at KU. He was an avid outdoorsman, and particularly enjoyed camping, hiking, and fishing
Survivors include his parents, Lawrence; a sister, Mandy Zwiener, Lawrence; maternal grandparents, Bill and Jean Hegeman, Lawrence; paternal grandparents, Larry and Linda Zwiener, Garnett; paternal great grandmother, Gladys Zwiener, Garnett; maternal great grandfather, George Eberhart, Lawrence; paternal aunts and uncles, Dr, Kevin Zwiener and Dr. Kassie Zwiener; and maternal aunts and uncles Steve and Becky Grammer, Mike and Vicki Hegeman, Annette and Tom Glahn, and Mark and Melinda Hegeman.
He was preceded in death by a paternal great grandfather, Raymond Zwiener, paternal great grandparents, Leonard and Frieda Hermreck,; a maternal great grandmother, Juanita Riley, and an uncle, Daniel Zwiener.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Lawrence First Church of the Nazarene.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ryan Zwiener Memorial Fund, for the establishment of a fund for teen suicide prevention, in care of the funeral home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS, 66044
It is the hope of the family that, by acknowledging Ryan’s battle with depression, others with similar issues and their families can be spared the tragedy of losing a loved one unnecessarily.
We were deeply saddened to hear about Ryan. We have many fond memories of Ryan when he spent time with Doug during elementary school. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
I was greatly saddened to hear of this. Our hearts go out to Ray and family.
To Ryan’s family,
I’ve been Ryan’s calculus instructor at KU for the past semester. He was an attentive student, easygoing, and got along well with others. He is vividly remembered, and missed. Deepest sympathies from myself and all his classmates.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Bergfalk
Ray and family, So sorry for your loss. Prayers are with you. Lisa
Ray and Family,
Our hearts break with you and for you all in these days. I still remember sitting with you in a restaurant, Ray, talking about investing in Zeratec and I have always been glad that our family did. We have prayed for you and your family in so many ways over the years and consider it a privilege to continue to do so now through this pain and your loss of Ryan.
Thank you for your fight and words concerning depression as well. It is something that eats us alive and causes us to make choices we would never make otherwise…I know that too well.
May God offer you His peace, strength, comfort, wisdom, protection, grace and mercy in these days, weeks, months and years ahead…
Joel
Dear Ray, Lisa and Mandy,
When I read the email from Ray my heart must have stopped. God be with you all. The pain must be unbearable. Please know that so many people love you all and are praying for you.
Hugs,
Garry and Angie Nye
Dear Ray and Family:
Words can not express how sad we are at the loss of your son. Having lost both parents, I share your grief and sadness that only time can heal. We sincerely hope the clouds part and let sunshine back into your life soon.
Our deepest sympathy,
Liz & Michael Farnum
Ray and Family,
It was with great anticipation that I opened the email from you and my heart is heavy now grieving with you on the loss of Ryan. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My hope is that you are able to feel the tremendous support of the community for you and your family during this difficult time.
Mike Piscotty
Ray,
Please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your son. Although under different circumstances, I lost a son myself 13 years ago and I know that there is nothing worse in this life. You and your family have all my sympathy.
Janet Peyton
Ray, I am so sorry for your family’s loss – it’s just so incomprehensible that I am truly shocked to my core to read your news. I send my sincerest sympathies to you and your wife and daughter. There is so much work to be done to help people with depression without attaching a “stigma” to those who seek help for it (which is why so many people don’t). Our parents’ generation could not even talk about it, but our generation obviously has a long way to go too. I am so very sorry – I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Warm regards, Tenley
Larry & Linda and all of your family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all in the days to come. May the Lord comfort you and help you all through this and may your fond memories always remain close to your heart.
Michelle Miller
My thoughts and prayers go out to you Lisa and your family. Always remember the happy times you had with your son and keep those memories close to your heart.
Dear Lisa,
I am not one to usually read obituaries, but the picture of your son caught my attention. Just skimming through what was written, I stopped on your name and your mother’s name. Memories flooded my mind about your years at St. John. Yes, I do remember you. Just wanted to share that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Ms. Pat Domann
To the Zwiener family,
Please accept our condolences in this difficult time. Our deepest sympathy for the loss of Ryan. You are in our thoughts.
The Rumbach family
Zwiener family,
I went to high school with Ryan, we were in the same seminar and we stood near each other for graduation. Although Ryan and I weren’t close friends I will always think about standing on the football field,in our caps and gowns, on our graduation day, joking and laughing. We had many mutal friends and I know they miss him very much. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Ariel Whitley
Ray and Lisa,
I cannot begin to describe the amount of sadness I feel at this moment. Your email regarding Ryan has touched me deeply as I have several memories of him as a very young child back when I was attending Kansas.
Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to meet him as a young adult but I know I would have enjoyed getting to know him. While I cannot completely understand your lose as I reflect upon my own family and begin to imagine a world without my son I’m quickly move to tears. Please accept my deepest condolences. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers and will be for quite some time to come.
To the Zweiner family,
I am sorry to hear about your loss. Ryan was such a sweet person and I truly enjoyed knowing him through cheer and tumbling. My prayers are with you and may God’s grace comfort you all through this tough time.
Sara Fevurly
Ray and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep the memories alive and they will help you through.
Carla (Maley) Skiles
To the Zweiner family,
My deepest sympathy to your whole family at this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and for you to find some peace. The hole left behind can only begin to heal by knowing that God has another special angel he has looking over you.
Wendy, Macy and Trey
Amanda & Family-
I am very sorry to hear about Ryan. I never really knew him but I knew Amanda from our dancing days. She was always so fond of her brother and I can’t imagine what she is going through. I hope that your family can find peace during this unfortunate time.
Ray, Lisa and Mandy,
We are really sorry for your loss. Ryan was such a sweet kid.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Avneet and Dipti.
I attended Free State with Ryan and had several classes with him. He was a intelligent and kind person. My thoughts and prayers are with Ryan’s close friends and family.
Deepest Sympathy,
Leanne Renee Milleret
Lisa, Ray and Mandy,
Our thoughts and prayers are with your whole family. May God guide you through this time and give you comfort in the days to come. Ryan was much loved and will always be remembered.
Sharon & Tiffany
Dear Ray, Lisa, and Mandy,
Please accept my deepest sympathies in the wake of this devastating tragedy. May God carry you, keep you, bless you, and give you mercy.
Love, Maria
Ryan was in our German II class at Free State. We were devastated to hear about this tragic loss. Our deepest sympathy is with his family, and our hearts go out to him. We will miss you, Ryan.
Gott segne – wir lieben dich.
Lauren (Lulu) Bracciano, Will Evans, Evelyn Mandell, Brock Morrison, Sophia Palmer, Scott Richardson, Dylan Stidham, Michelle Stockwell, Danielle Stringer, Evan Weisgrau, and Herr Strecker
Ray (and family): My heart just aches for you. I wish I was able to do more than offer words that I know will never help ease your pain. But know you are loved and that Jack and I are thinking of you and hoping that your son is at peace.
Tess (and Jack)
Condolence to Ryan’s family and friends.
God’s everlasting peace and light to Ryan and rest, from his long and valiant battle with depression that now, cannot touch him.
Ray, Maria informed me of your devastating loss, so please allow me to offer my heart-felt prayers for you, your wife, and your entire family.
Fred Navarro
Dear Ray, Lisa, Mandy and family,
Many prayers, love, and hugs are being sent to all of you in this difficult time. Know that you are in God’s hands and He will help you heal from your loss.
Always,
Kerri Johnson
Ray and Family,
We have been praying for you since we heard the very sad news.
May God’s peace, mercy and grace descend on all of you during this difficult time.
Dennis, Darci, Frank and George Depenbusch
My deepest sympathy to all of your family. I will be praying for you.
Dear Zwiener Family,
My deepest sympathy to you all. Though I did not know Ryan well, I will always remember his smile! You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Anjie Arrington
Ray and Family,
I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss and hope that you be surounded with family and friends to get you through this time. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. I hope God will carry you through the hardest of times.
Denise Fuhrman Lampe
Ray, Lisa, Mandy, Kelly and I are so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy. We enjoyed him as a neighbor, such a fine, helpful, kind young man. You and yours are in our thoughts. We are here for you.
Gay and Kelly
Ray and Family,
My deepest condolences to you all. I wish that you find strength and comfort in the love of your family and friends; and find light and hope in God’s presence.
Sandy Humbert Chapman
Ray, Lisa, Larry and Linda,
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Hold on to your memories and each other in the days to come. I remember Ryan at Larry and Linda’s when they being grandparents to my kids–he had bright eyes,a big smile and seemed to love being a the farm in Garnett.
To the Zwiener and Hegeman families,
My deepest condolences to you in this difficult time. I am just so very sorry to hear of your loss. May time bring you peace and understanding.
Stacey Hoover Coleman
Lisa, Ray and Mandy,
I am so sorry for your loss. Ryan was an amazing man and will be missed dearly. He is in a better place now though, enjoying the good life with God. I pray that God stay with you during this difficult time and help you through it. I am here for you guys however you need it, Mandy is a sister to me and I pray you three can find peace.
Kaidee
Ray and Lisa; Larry and Linda; Mandy; and Grandma Gladys- My thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the upcoming months. Your family is so wonderful, so close, and all have so much love to give.
Ray and Family,
I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of your son. My thoughts and prayers go out to you at this very difficult time.
Evan Doran
Ray and family –
I am heartbroken to learn of Ryan’s death. My thoughts are with you all.
Ray and Family,
So very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you now and in the coming days.
Karen Wood
Thoughts and prayers to the family. Thinking of you Raymond and Grandma Gladys.
Ray and Family-
May God help you find comfort in this trying time. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Deepest Sympathy,
Theresa Jasper White
Our deepest sympathy goes out to you. He is in Gods hands now and he will be taken care of.
I will never forget when Lisa went into labor with Ryan and Jon tried to get her to eat a sandwich at lunch. I know this is such a sad time but hopefully some day you will remember the good times.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love you always,
Jon and Sheryl Shipman
dear ray and lisa,
two years ago this january we traveled this road with our niece… I have nothing to say to make your pain go away right now except his battle with depression is over… his suffering has ended… yours has begun… and god’s grace and mercy is big enough to handle everything you will go through together as you trust him with your future… committed to praying for you for the next year!
Lisa, Ray and Mandy,
My heart is hurting for all of you. I will keep Ryan and all of you in my prayers and thoughts. I am just around the corner so if you need anything, don’t hesitate. Just remember the memories of Ryan and his smiling face. Much love, Michelle Fales
Ray and Family,
I went to Jr. High and High School with Ray. My deepest sympathy to all of your family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers in the days to come. May your memories bring you comfort during this difficult time.
Kristy (Lankard) Mader