Ryland August Block, age 93, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 27th, just hours before his beloved wife Arlene. Ryland was born in Prairie du Sac on January 24, 1922 to August Block and Katherine (Ott) Block. He graduated from Prairie du Sac High School in 1940 and then attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Ryland excelled in sports including baseball, football, and track during his high school and college years. During World War II, Ryland served in the Army in Europe. He was part of the Army rangers who designed and built roads and bridges for the troops to use in major campaigns.
While away at war, his attachment to Arlene Luetscher deepened and lead to a marriage proposal. On March 15, 1946, they married. Ryland transferred his engineering skills to building houses. One of his major accomplishments was designing and building a house for his expanding family in Prairie du Sac. He and Arlene lived in this home for 64 years.

Ryland was a skilled carpenter, working for Sauk Prairie Lumber Co., Wipperfurth Construction, and Setzke Carpentry until his retirement in 1982. He also made time for community work. He was the accessor in Prairie du Sac, volunteered for the original Sauk-Prairie ambulance crew, and served on multiple church committees.
Ryland and Arlene shared many activities including 30 years nurturing their retirement hobby known as "Blocks Rocks". They were active members of Concordia Methodist Church and host campers at Mirror Lake State Park each summer. Ryland's sense of humor and love of family and friends was quiet, but evident.

Ryland is survived by his daughters Carol Block (Howard Lowe) of Madison and Sue Smalley of Chippewa Falls; his daughter-in-law, Linda Block of Prairie du Sac; six grandchildren, Jessica Block, Joseph (Kim) Block, Anne Marie (Dan) Gander, Ben (Jen) Smalley, Robert Lowe and Adam Lowe; 5 great-grandchildren, Ryne and Hailey Gander, Olivia and Mila Block and Henrietta Smalley; a half-sister Ruth Marks and half-brother Gene Patrick. He is preceded in death by his son, Robert; mother and father; and son-in-law Scott Smalley.

A memorial service for Ryland and Arlene will be held on Friday, October 30th at Concordia Methodist Church at 585 5th St, Prairie du Sac, WI. Visitation will start at 11:00 and the service will begin at 12:30.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Friends of Mirror Lake State Park, E10320 Fern Dell Road, Baraboo, WI 53913.