Ryan Elmblad Obituary

RYAN JAMES ELMBLAD, 38, of Brooksville, Florida, tragically passed away on June 6, 2025. He was born in Ishpeming, Michigan on December 15, 1986, the son of Rory Elmblad and Cherie Glasscock.

Ryan grew up in the Copper Country region of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, making him a true Yooper. He attended Hancock Schools. During those years he was interested in Aikido, video and trivia games, Boy Scouting, and hiking and camping with the Boy Scouts. Early on, Ryan developed a deep love for reading. When he was in fourth grade Ryan's mother was called to school to discuss his reading during class. The teacher's complaint: He was reading Stephen King. She felt it inappropriate. He was blessed to have full recall of everything he ever read in his life. He was most proud of his accomplishments as spelling bee champion for the school, district, and region, and finally competing with all the best spellers in the Upper Peninsula while he was in grades four, five, and six. Ryan later attended Baraga Schools, where he became active in football, High School Bowl, and band as a trumpet player, marching in several parades and attending band competitions. The highlight of his trumpet playing was earning a no. 1 rating at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association Solo and Ensemble Festival. It was also in Baraga that Ryan met many people, a number of whom remained connected, lifelong friends. 

After high school Ryan moved to Marquette, Michigan and entered the workforce. In 2004 he started working as a dishwasher at the historic Landmark Inn. During a particularly busy evening in the restaurant, a cook needed onions cut and taught Ryan how to chop them. That was the first night of his seventeen-year chef career. 

Ryan moved to East Lansing, Michigan in 2009 and became employed at the State Room, a fine dining venue at Michigan State University. It was there that he worked his way from prep cook to line cook, becoming the Chef Grillardin and supervising co-workers. He assisted in recipe and menu development with the sous and head chefs. During Covid-19, Ryan prepared boxed meals for quarantined students and ran a food truck. In his spare time he deeply enjoyed relaxing with his friends at the Harrison Roadhouse Pub, friends he dearly missed after leaving Lansing. 

In 2021 Ryan moved to Florida when Covid-19 devastated the food service industry. While seeking employment he was led to accept the LORD Jesus Christ into his life. He worked for Publix supermarket (Barkley) in Spring Hill, Florida for eighteen months. In March 2025 Ryan took new work for Aerotek at the Walmart Distribution Center in the robotics group.

Ryan was preceded in death by his father Rory Elmblad, great-grandparents Dayton and Marguerite Glasscock, great-grandparents George and Cecil Burghard, grandmother Norma Osterman, grandfather Tom Glasscock, uncle Steven “Linker" Elmblad, and his sister Nanette “Nannie" Beck.

He leaves to cherish memories his mother Cherie (Eddie) Dreyer of Brooksville, Florida, grandmother Caroline Glasscock of Flint, Michigan, step-grandmother Helen Bas of Grand Blanc, Michigan, aunts Stephanie (Joe) Stevens of Flint, Michigan and Randa (Rick) Taube of Columbiaville, Michigan, uncles Roger (Karen) Glasscock of Mt. Morris, Michigan, Chuck (Angie) Glasscock of Flint, Michigan and Jay Elmblad of Skanee, Michigan, cousins Raven (Gaige) Fuller of Flint, Michigan, Austin (Shelby) Williams of Clio, Michigan, Jason Elmblad of Colorado, and Travis Elmblad of Colorado, second cousins Vaida and Zoey Fuller of Flint, Michigan and Eleanor Williams of Clio, Michigan, and very special “brothers,” Trevor Peterson of Marquette, Michigan, Justin Petoskey of Marquette, Michigan, and Jon Whiting of Lansing, Michigan.

On Friday August 8, 2025 at 6:00 pm, we will join together to scatter Ryan's ashes at Blackrocks on Presque Isle in Marquette, Michigan. Following, those who wish to gather, share stories, photos and memories of Ryan are encouraged to be at the Blackrocks Brewery immediately following the freeing of his ashes.