Ryan O’Brien
ST. IGNATUS — Ryan Paul O’Brien, “Ta Mahpiya Magazu” (His Rain Cloud), left this world to be with his creator, family, and friends on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Ryan was born on March 1, 1984, in Williston, North Dakota, to Shannon O’Brien Murphy.
Ryan loved life but more than anything in this world. He whole-heartedly loved his wife of 16 years, Ashley Martinez, and his children Jose, Kai, and Valentina O’Brien.
He always had a strong love for family. He was his mom’s, Shannon O’Brien Murphy’s, baby boy. He had a strong love and bond with his brothers, Michael and Jerome O’Brien. He loved his sisters, Hilary, Emily, and Amanda and always wished he could spend more time with them. His cousins, who were just additional brothers and sisters, have many stories to tell. Ryan could persuade them to do anything, especially with his smile. He loved his nieces and nephews as his own children. His aunts and uncles near and far, loved him so very much. The extended family would say, “Family doesn’t always have to be blood!” Ryan’s family was anyone whom he met.
From the time Ryan was little, he loved sports and it didn’t matter which sport, baseball, soccer, swimming, football, basketball, and wrestling. As Ryan grew older, he excelled in football, earning the 2002 Treasure State All-Star Defensive MVP and in wrestling earned All-State placer three years in a row. Now, Ryan’s children are following Dad’s love for sports. He was more than a proud parent, often assisting with coaching the various teams his children played on.
Ryan was charismatic. To know Ryan was to love him. Anyone he met, and it could be anywhere, became a friend for life. Anyone that knew Ryan have commented on they will never forget his big smile, his loud laugh, how kind and polite he always was, and how he would help anyone and anytime. He was a mentor, coach, a friend, or he would call you brother and you knew you were a lifer. He became a second Dad to his nieces and nephews and many of his children’s friends. He loved that his home was filled with kids, laughter, and good times. The best thing about Ryan were his hugs. He would wrap those big hands and arms around you, and it made you feel so safe and loved.
Ryan leaves behind and to carry on: his wife, Ashley Martinez and his children, Jose, Kai, and Valentina O’Brien of St. Ignatius; his mother, Shannon O’Brien Murphy of Poplar; his brothers, Michael O’Brien (Anny and Bubba and Mickey) of Sheridan, Wyoming, Jerome O’Brien of Anaconda, and his children, Alliana and Jerome, Jr. O’Brien of Poplar and Nevina O’Brien and Christine “Keke” Tenas of Big Arm; his sisters, Emily Gourneau and her child, Maggie Gourneau, of Billings, Hilary Gourneau of Poplar, and Amanda Gourneau of Wolf Point; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Paul and Angela Normandeau of Ronan; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law; Isaac and Heather Fritz and children Rustee, Randi, and Declan Fritz of Missoula; his sister-in-law, Liz Jordan and her son, Brice Adamson of Utah; special cousins/sisters growing up, Mandy Jo Big Horn Berens (Scott and children, Craig, Cailey and Caige) of Billings, Adriann “Babes” Buckles Ricker (Griffin and children, Kaniel, Grady, John John, and Zael Ricker of Poplar, Kaileen “Kaybug” Stovern) James Stovern and children, (Emma and Jameson Stovern) of Minot, North Dakota, and Mattie McChesney (Josh Keaton and child, Ryker Keaton) of Conrad; special aunties, Maureen and Colleen O’Brien and Patti Jo O’Brien Black (Dusty); special auntie and uncle Frank and Haven Gourneau and their children Mauri, Tessy, Rainey, Bosh, Connor, and Sydney Gourneau. He also leaves behind very special friends, Rod Schall and Doug Morigeau, as well as numerous aunties, uncles, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his dad, Jim Murphy; his nieces, Aria Fritz and Novalee Gourneau; his grandparents, Patrick and Adrianna (Ann) O’Brien; his grandfather, Frank Gourneau, Sr.; his great-grandparents, Max and Gladys Jimeno and Amy and Raymond O’Brien; and his brother-in-law, Jose Martinez and others.
“There is no death, only a change of worlds.” – Chief Seattle
“Goodbyes are not forever, are not the end; it simply means I’ll miss you until we meet again.”
Funeral services were held on Aug. 2 at the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission and he was laid to rest with military honors in the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery.
