Ryan attended Lincoln East High School. Following his education, he worked for Railcrew Xpress, transporting railroad conductors and engineers to and from their assigned trains. He was then promoted to the maintenance department, where he enjoyed handling day-to-day maintenance needs for drivers transporting railroad personnel. Ryan then found his career fulfillment with War Horse Casino as a security officer.
Ryan will be remembered as a passionate fan of Husker Nation, as well as the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Royals. His family will remember his outgoing personality and the love he held for everyone that was close to him.
Ryan is survived by his mother, Lynette Powell (Sam Quintana); and his father, Dan Stephens (Teresia Burnham-Stephens) of Lincoln, Nebraska. Other family members include his beloved sister, Jessica Reffert (Jacob Reffert); his uncle, Roy Powell (Cindy Stuefer-Powell); cousins Miranda Pruett, Dylan Powell, and Gwen Farewell (Jason Farewell and children; Barret, Hazel, Everett, and Archer); as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family members.
Ryan is preceded in death by his grandparents, Dale and Kay Stephens and Robert and Hazel Powell; great grandparents Francis and Gertrude Stephens, Dr. Eugene and Dorthea Powell, and Ervin and Pearl Melvin; as well as many relatives of the Stephens, Smith, and Powell families.
A celebration of life will be held at the Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel (4300 ‘O’ St.) on September 26th, 2026 at 2:00 pm. An open house will immediately follow at the same address from 3:00-5:00 pm.