STERLING — Ryan Joseph Desemo, 42, of Sterling, Kan., passed away May 24, 2024. He was born April 23, 1982, in Great Bend, Kan., the son of Dan and Kathy (Burditt) Desemo. Ryan resided in Sterling for the last ten years, formerly of Great Bend. As a young man, he was an active participant in Boy Scouts and was chosen for Order of the Arrow, both of which shaped him into the man who wouldn’t turn down a challenge and never stopped serving others. He began his journey as a musician in 5th grade, passionately playing trumpet through college, and participating in City, Marching, and Jazz band, to name a few. He graduated from Great Bend High School with the class of 2001, and was blessed with a group of loyal long term friends, but is remembered by all who went to school with him as a kind soul with a contagious smile. He received an Associate of Science degree from Barton County Community College, and a bachelor’s degree in Information Networking and Telecommunications from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan. He was a part of Alpha Kappa Psi, business fraternity at FHSU.
Ryan worked for Imagine IT in Sterling for the last ten years, a dedicated employee. He loved cars, riding and working on his motorcycles; camping and the outdoors. Ryan loved all music, but especially when he could experience it live, traveling to Winfield, Kan. with his wife Melissa for 20+ years to attend the Walnut Valley Festival. Caring little of others opinions, all Ryan needed was a good song to show off his best dance moves and enjoy the moment. He never took himself too seriously and had a smile that lit up the room; and getting a photo of him without a silly face was quite a challenge. He started helping with all kinds of family projects at an early age, and this was something that continued throughout his life. Ryan enthusiastically and willingly would help anyone, and showed patience and kindness to all. He cherished his time spent with family and friends, and was so deeply loved by all.
On Oct. 22, 2011, he married Melissa Beck in Claflin, Kan.
Survivors include his wife, Melissa Beck; parents, Dan and Kathy Desemo; sister, Sara Butler and her husband Caden, and children, Breeley and Cayson; grandmother, Shirley Desemo; aunt and uncle, Ann and Chris Baca and their children Kalin, Kolten, and Kilah; aunt, Gwen Huck; father and mother-in-law, Jim and Carol Beck; brother and sister-in-law Daniel and Ashley Beck and their children Maddison, Everett, and Henry; lifelong best friends, Josh and Laura Piland, and their children, Jeremiah, Micah, and Elijah; and many other cherished family and friends. Ryan is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Joe B. Desemo; and maternal grandparents, Ray and Helen Burditt.
Per Ryan’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life and reception will be held Saturday, June 22 at 3 p.m., Alden United Methodist Church, Alden, Kan. Please come as you are. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Friends of Animals Rice County, Inc. Animal rescue or donor’s choice in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling, KS.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Birzer Funeral Home
P.O. Box 262
Sterling, KS 67579
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 8, 2024
