Ryan Taft Westlund

Ryan Taft Westlund passed away on November 20, 2025, after a courageous 13-month battle with glioblastoma. Born on January 7, 1978, in Moline, Illinois, Ryan is survived by his children, Caleb (14) and Anika (13); his wife, Kristina; his parents, Sheila and Gordon; and his sister, Laura, along with her husband, Jeff, and their daughters, Jillian and Shannon. Ryan was also cherished by many other close family members on both his and Kristi’s sides. Ryan was a man who led with his heart of gold, followed by a twinkle in his eye and a sparkle in his smile. He had a gift for making people feel accepted and loved through his patience, compassion, and his ability to listen with his heart. For the past 15 years, Ryan worked at Intralox in the conveyor belt industry, ultimately serving as a global team manager. Throughout his career and his personal life, he led by example, approaching challenges with collaboration, integrity, and a commitment to solutions that benefited everyone involved. In both work and home life, he always looked for ways he could “add value” and strove to do everything to the best of his ability. During his illness, Ryan fought with extraordinary strength through numerous treatments, even as the disease took from him many of the activities he loved—basketball, golf, clear vision, movement, the ability to freely traverse his family’s Michigan lakefront property, easy laughter, and so much more. Even when he struggled to stay awake throughout the day, he made the daily effort to greet Caleb and Anika when they arrived home from school. Through every hardship, he continued to lean on God for strength and was uplifted by his faith, his church community, and the prayers of many loved ones. Ryan’s generous spirit did not end with his passing. He donated his eyes in hopes of giving others the gift of sight, and he donated his brain to science in the hope that future treatments for this rare disease will be improved. Ryan will be remembered for the way he lived—loyal, brave, helpful, loving, generous, active, and hard-working. The world is better because Ryan was in it, and his spirit remains alive in the many lives that he influenced. Memorial visitation will be 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at the United Methodist Church of Libertyville, 429 Brainerd Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048. A memorial service will begin at 12 p.m. Tuesday at the church, immediately following the visitation. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Ryan’s memory to his children’s education. To contribute, please go to www.Ugift529.com and use the following codes: Caleb: X7F-F3Z Anika: 66G-D6F

Ryan Taft Westlund

January 7, 1978 - November 20, 2025

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