Ryan William Johlke

With saddened hearts we share the passing of Ryan William Johlke at his home on May 4th, 2024, after a gallant battle with a rare type of sarcoma cancer. Ryan, 34, was born in Pendleton on February 4th, 1990 to Mike Johlke and Tami Toll. He joined an older brother Robert. Ryan attended school in Pendleton, graduating in 2008.

After high school Ryan attended Blue Mountain Community College, graduating from the Diesel Technology program with high honors. While attending college Ryan was an apprentice at Blue Mountain Lumber and after graduation, he worked for them full time as a millwright. Ryan eventually moved on to Atkore RMCP Inc. as a maintenance worker. He put in many years of hard work and became very knowledgeable in his field. Ryan was looked up to and well respected by his colleagues in every position he held.

Growing up Ryan’s passions were fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, camping at the North Fork of the John Day River, riding 4-wheelers and anything to do with guns and shooting. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the cabin and his grandparents’ ranch.

As a child Ryan was given a Honda 50 that eventually led to his love for motorcycles. Ryan enjoyed restoring his Honda 50 and spending time in his shop working on his toys. He later restored one for Amanda and they both found enjoyment taking them to the mountains. Later in life Ryan continued his childhood passions and especially loved riding his Yamaha TW 200.

Ryan met Amanda in 2010 at KFC where they were both working. They spent the next seven years together exploring, going to flea markets, riding their ATV’s, going to the cabin, fishing and spending their weekends at the North Fork. Ryan and Amanda created a beautiful life together. After moving into their first home, which was Ryan's childhood home, they felt the next part of their journey would be marriage. July 13th, 2018, Ryan and Amanda were married, committing themselves to each other before God. The ceremony was held at a little church that Amanda had fallen in love with near the cabin outside of Heppner.

In April of 2020 they were blessed with their first daughter, Sutton Renee. The love they felt for their baby girl only made them want to grow their family more. In September of 2022 they welcomed another daughter, Scottlyn Rae, making their family complete.

Above all else, Ryan had a deep conviction for his immediate family; Amanda, Sutton, Scottlyn and their fur babies. He was by all rights a true “Girl Dad.”

To know Ryan was a true blessing. He was a great husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend who will be deeply missed. Ryan will always and forever be in our hearts.

Those passing before Ryan include his father Mike Johlke, uncle’s Kelly Johlke, and Terry Toll, grandparent’s John and Rene Ledbetter, Dorothy Johlke, Jim Gallentine and Lorine Toll.

Those still with us include his wife and daughters Amanda, Sutton and Scottlyn Johlke, mother Tami Johlke, brother Robert (Blake) Johlke, nephews Caden and Dylan Johlke, grandfather Leonard Toll, uncle Rod (Patti) Johlke, Auntie Toni (Jeff) Roach and a handful of first cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Pendleton Community Park Rotary Shelter on 37th St., June 8th, 2024 from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm. Food and drinks will be provided. Please join us as we come together to honor Ryan’s life. We look forward to seeing everyone, celebrating his amazing life and hearing memories shared about him.