Ryan Donald Vandal, age 44, was born August 24, 1977, to Kathy (Schimetz) Wood  and Don Vandal.  He passed away in the Bottineau Hospital April 13th, 2022, following a long illness.

Ryan attended school k-2 in Bottineau, then graduated from Minot High in 1996. His mother always said he was such an easy child to raise, happy, carefree, with a natural gift of helping others, even as a child.

Ryan had a high IQ-was very intelligent.  He was also very gifted as a musician and an artist. He played bass guitar in numerous bands in Minot and Minneapolis (where he's lived for 25. years).   After high school, Ryan went on tour with his Minot band, from ND to Portland to LA to NYC.  He had the time of his life.

Ryan loved the city life in Minneapolis, where he made easily made friends with some wonderful people. Recently he became a gourmet cook, and had on-the-job training with a chef.  He cooked for a popular club in downtown Mpls. This was a perfect outlet for his creativity.  His food was amazing.  So much so, that the waitress wanted to work during his shift, because the tips were better, due to customer satisfaction with his food.  They nicknamed him "Chef Daddy" and he loved it.

Ryan's hobbies include  big collections of comic books and action figures. He continued doing art projects at home.  He was well versed in many topics, especially History ( US and World).  He said many times if he won the lottery, he would build a soup kitchen for the homeless.  He will be dearly missed and remembered by those who knew him, as a good man with a heart of gold.

Ryan is survived by his mother Kathy Wood,  dad and stepmom Don and Joanne Vandal, his sister Rachel (Vandal)/Mike Ford, nephews Fathyn Vandal and Marquis Logan, many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Preceding him in death are his grandparents, Carris and Edna Vandal, Louis and Stella Schimetz.

Ryan didn't want a funeral.  We will have a celebration of his life gathering at the VFW club in Bottineau, April 30th from 2 to 5, weather permitting.  If not, then May 14th, same time and place. His ashes will be buried on his Grandpa Schimetz's grave at the Catholic Cemetery in Dunseith.

Ryan's family extends a heartfelt thank you to Nero Funeral Home, and to all of you who have reached out to us during this most difficult time

Ryan's family extends a heartfelt thank you to all of you who have reached out during this most difficult time.