Ryan Lee Kotzea, 25, died Wednesday, August 19, 2009, surrounded by family, friends and caring medical staff at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Ryan's passing marked the end of a long, hard-fought battle with severe depression.

Affectionately known to many as 'Big Kat,' Ryan made his home in
Aberdeen, where his formidable size and tender heart combined
brilliantly to impress upon those who knew him the welcoming essence
of a giant teddy bear.

Born to Dale and Deb (Nordstrom) Kotzea on July 3, 1984, at Memorial
Medical Center in Watertown, S.D., Ryan was the youngest of two
children. His parents and older brother, Nick, 27, reflect on Ryan's
amazing life with great pride and will miss him dearly.

Ryan grew up in Milbank, S.D., where a series of exceptional coaches
and mentors laid the foundation for a decorated athletic career. In
2001, already an accomplished football player and State 'A' Wrestling
place winner for the Milbank Bulldogs, Ryan moved with his family to
Aberdeen, where he would play football and earn back-to-back
heavyweight State 'A' Wrestling championships as an Aberdeen Central
Golden Eagle. He graduated from Aberdeen Central in 2003, and accepted
a wrestling scholarship to attend the University of Wyoming. He would
later transfer to Northern State University in Aberdeen to be closer
to family and friends.

In recent years, Ryan dedicated substantial time to training and
competing as a mixed martial arts fighter, achieving a level of
success that suggested a bright future in the sport. While Ryan's
power and tenacity was rarely matched on a wrestling mat, his strength
as a person was equally unrivaled. Those who knew Ryan knew someone
gentle, caring and unassuming. He loved movies, cards, video games and
spending time with family, friends and the family dogs, Katie and Max.
Ryan is survived by his parents, Deb and Dale Kotzea of Aberdeen;
brother, Nick Kotzea of Pierre, S.D.; grandparents, Al and Jean
Nordstrom of Aberdeen; grandparents, Don and Sally Kotzea of Waubay,
S.D.; uncle, Randy Nordstrom of Aberdeen; aunt and uncle, Alan and
Ruth Kotzea of Webster, S.D.; aunt, Linda Kotzea of Freeman, S.D.;
uncle, Jon Kotzea of Sioux Falls; cousin, Melissa (Kotzea) Herrboldt
and husband, Jeremy Herrboldt, of Watertown, S.D.; and cousin, Michael
Kotzea and wife, Andrea Kotzea, and their son, Alex, of Brandon, S.D.
Ryan's family is joined in celebration of his life by countless
friends whose hearts he touched along the way, including his
girlfriend, Nicole Knott of Aberdeen.

Mass of Christian Burial for Ryan will be 10:30am Monday, August 24,
2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Aberdeen. Interment will be at
Sunset Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and
Crematory, Aberdeen is in charge of arrangements. Liturgical wake
service will be 5:00pm Sunday, August 23, 2009 at the mortuary.
Visitation will be 3-5pm Sunday at the mortuary and one hour prior to
the service at the church, Monday.

The Kotzea family thanks everyone for their support in dealing with
Ryan's passing and his long struggle with a devastating disease.
There's now a rather large guardian angel watching over all of us.