Ryan Klassen

Ryan Klassen passed away unexpectedly on Monday, February 17, 2025 at Gull Lake, SK.

Ryan Matthew Klassen was born on January 22, 1982 at Swift Current, SK to Harry & Sandy VanVaals, and grew up in Gull Lake. His first neighbours were Joe & Louise Kutschall. You’d find him either pestering Joe or digging up his garden. On the other side of Ryans house, lived his best friend, Jeremy Allen where he made himself at home… even when they weren’t there. Once, Ryan was playing in Margo’s spices and then left behind a sandwich stuck in their VCR. This is where it all began, and Ryan’s mischievous nature was born. He had somewhat of a colourful youth with plenty of stories that could be told. Stories that likely would involve a few others in this room. Ryan loved school sports and learning how to work on cars in his Grandpa Defosse’s garage. He was mechanically inclined at an early age, so throughout the years you would find him working on all sorts of vehicles. When he was 16, Ryan moved to Calgary to live with his father, Harry & Barb, attending Chestermere High School, and graduating in 2000. Ryan liked hockey and was a goalie for his Gull Lake and Chestermere hockey teams. There he met a great group of friends who shared his love for the outdoors. When he wasn’t working, he would be with them quadding, dirt biking, and camping, rain or shine. The muddier the better. A couple of years later, Ryan met Rita Charrois. Together they had a beautiful daughter, Madison. He started working on the drilling rigs soon after graduation, beginning with Nabors Drilling, followed by a long career with Precision Drilling in Canada, and eventually Texas. The rigs took Ryan to places like Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, as well as Texas. He was a hard worker and became a rig manager at a young age. It was in Texas where Ryan met Lauren (Bratcher) and her two children, Ryelee and Skylure. They were married in 2010. Together they had two sons, Matthew and Jaxon. Ryan’s children were his whole world. Working away from home never got easier. Ryan liked small town living and lake life, so they eventually purchased a lake front home near Quinlan, Texas. It was a large property where he could enjoy nights around the fire pit, boating, fishing, shooting his guns, and quadding. Ryan’s Banshee quad was his prize possession following him to Texas and back again. Ryan was kind, generous, and sentimental with a big heart and contagious smile. He could visit with anyone and liked to talk…a lot! Ryan returned to Gull Lake from Texas this past June after living in the USA for 17 years. He was excited to be back on Canadian soil, except for the cold winters, and was looking forward to reuniting with family and friends. Ryan couldn’t wait to take on the big brother role and having family gatherings that he had missed for so long. He wanted his children to experience Canada and where he grew up. Ryan was completely surprised at how little they were taught about Canada in the USA schools. Once he was settled back in Gull Lake, he started working for Dynamic. Ryan’s happy place this past summer was at the family cabin at Rock Ridge where his days were spent relaxing with his family, visiting with the neighbours, enjoying water sports, and fishing with Bohdi.

We were so blessed to have had Ryan back home, even though it was for a short time, many special memories were made. Unfortunately, Ryan never had a chance to see everyone he wanted to see. There are no words to express the heartbreak we all feel. Ryan had so much to offer and so many things that he wanted to do. We will miss his big smile, always treasure his memory, and hold on to the love he had for family. We will deeply miss you Ryan and we will love you forever! 

Ryan is survived by his children, Madison, Ryelee, Skylure, Matthew, and Jaxon; his father, Harry (Barbara) VanVaals; his mother, Sandy (Ken) Klassen; his sisters, Brittany (Yann) VanVaals and Haylea VanVaals; his sister, Kaitlyn (Lane) Klassen; his brother, Kole (Kayla) Klassen; his nephews, Navan, Bohdi, Shiloh; his niece, Adley; and by numerous Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and Papa Ken Stant. 

He was predeceased by his grandparents, Fred VanVaals, Anne & Ross McMaster, Gerald Defosse, June Stant, and Ann & Elmer Klassen; his sisters, Jenny and Candis; his Aunt Catherine Quinn; his Uncle Sydney VanVaals; and by a cousin, Angela Quinn.

Ryan's Service Video Link Below: 

View Ryan's Slide show below

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