April 7, 2006

Disruptive childhood never hindered Lu Ryden

Former City Council Member, talk show hostess
recalls her days as a mover and shaker

By Donna H. Eliason
Staff Writer

Many people wonder if a person can overcome childhood difficulties without anger or resentment. Evergreen’s Lu (Lura) Ryden did just that and more.

Lu Ryden shows memorabilia from her talk show, the Lu Ryden Show. After a successful career in local television, Ryden changed course and served for 10 years on the San Jose City council, representing District 1. Photo by Dona Eliason

Attending 11 different schools in 11 years meant moving at age 5 from her native Minnesota to Washington D.C., Kentucky, Oregon, Washington and California.

A yearly change of schools meant, “I had the choice of either being a wall flower or being obnoxious,” Ryden said.

Those choices in the l930s and l940s had different repercussions than for a 2006 youth. Ryden enjoyed the limelight, delighting in being a “ham.” One of her escapades as a 7-year-old was enticing the other kids to join her ringing apartment complex doorbells, before running away.

Living in foster care and in a convent
As an only child, Ryden had close emotional ties with her mom, who often held three jobs simultaneously.

“My mom had 4.5 marriages. The .5 refers to her 30-year relationship with a man 13 years younger, that lasted until she died,” she said.

Often being a single mom with financial restraints during the depression years meant difficult decisions. When Ryden was a baby, she lived six months in an orphanage. Later, she spent time with relatives and in foster care, all of which her mother checked out before admitting her daughter.

Once, after Ryden was in a San Francisco high school fight, her mother enrolled her in a convent for a year.

Ryden remembers, “I had a good mom and we got along well. She was always there for me. She could have adopted me out but she always came back to get me.”

Ryden grew up with a positive attitude, reflecting her mother’s belief that, “this is the way life is. Learn to live with it.”

After her l948 high school graduation, Ryden taught ballroom dancing in San Francisco. She didn’t make much money on this commission-based job, because she was honest with her clients when they didn’t need additional classes. A handsome young man named Pete Ryden worked in a gas station across the street from her home. Even though he proposed on the first date, they didn’t marry until three years later.

Ryden, being a precedent changer, celebrated her 54th wedding anniversary with Pete on January 25, 2006. One reason for their successful marriage is they both have independent interests but have learned to work together.

Ryden said, “All through the years Pete has always been very supportive of everything I’ve done.”

Their son, 53-year-old Paul, lives in Atlanta and is married with one daughter. Elizabeth, their 51-year-old daughter, lives with multiple sclerosis in a nursing home outside Boston. She has two adult daughters.

At times, Pete traveled 19 days at a time when he was a Pan Am flight engineer, flying from Idyllwild Airport (now JFK) in New York City. In those days, the four-engine DC6 planes made numerous stops enroute to their destination and back.

When her husband suggested transferring to San Francisco, Ryden, a stay at home mom, was eager to live again in “a land of fruits and nuts.”

After arriving in Sunnyvale, they moved seven times before finding the right home in West San Jose. Then the suitcases were stored, enabling them to enjoy their home for 35 years until they moved to The Villages 13 years ago.

The talk show business
One morning in l964, Ryden was ironing while watching TV.

“There’s got to be something better than reruns,” she said. “What’s needed is a lady’s talk show.”

She checked out and researched a script-writing library book before calling local TV channel ll.

“That’s just what we’ve been thinking about,” Ryden recalled the producer saying. “Come on in for an interview.”

Ryden, who was comfortable in the spotlight, was hired over 30 other applicants, demonstrating her ability to ask provocative questions and to joke around with the program guests. Several months later the yearlong “Afternoon Show” began, featuring news and interviews with local people.

After a year, Ryden co-hosted with Don Hayward, the five-year-old “Lu Ryden Show.” They conducted interviews with celebrities such as Joe DiMaggio, Marlo Thomas, Bob Hope and Jimmy Durante. Pete and their 9 and 11-year-old children were delighted she was a TV star.

Lu Ryden, a member of the Villages for 13 years, has servedas a TV talk show hostess and District 1 council member for San Jose.

In the l970s, Ryden and a friend owned a modeling agency that presented fashion shows at numerous San Jose malls. People came to see the latest fashions that were featured in local stores, and to enjoy the local models who also sang or danced.

From TV to San Jose politics
Since Ryden was active in Republican circles, her friends thought she’d be a natural to run for the District 1 San Jose City council member in l980. Initially, she declined the offer, but later changed her mind. After her election in l98l, she served 10 years.

While on the city council, she emphasized fiscal responsibility, development of an adequate city infrastructure, term limits and safeguards protecting minors from pornography. Being supportive of both the police and fire departments, she had unique experiences, such as riding in a police car chasing a thief at l00 miles per hour.

In looking at the approaching San Jose elections, Ryden said, “It’s important to support people who have honesty and integrity. Sometimes that’s difficult to know. A voter should check the candidate’s background. Find out who endorses each candidate. Go to functions where you can talk with them one on one, and shake hands with them.”

“One of the hardest parts of holding office is seeing the way the city could be run versus what actually happens,” she added. “I had a pillow in my office. After some meetings, I’d go back to my office and scream into that pillow.”

Still busy in retirement
Now Ryden is easing her way out of active political life. She’s redecorating her home, reading good mysteries, and enjoying the home/garden TV programs. Some time is spent with San Jose’s CityTeam Ministries and the Blossom Valley Church. She’s planning to enjoy some New York City plays with a granddaughter.

What about golf?
“I don’t play golf,” she said. “It takes so much time and my mind is on other things. …Like everyone else, one of my goals is to get organized. It’s easy for me to help others with their organization, but harder to do it for myself.”

“I’m busy all the time,” she added. “I’m enjoying my life, doing the things I like. The Lord has blessed us so abundantly.”

In the future she’d like to see places like Italy, the Greek islands and the Middle Eastern countries.

Looking back over her life, Ryden said, “It’s important to set goals in life. You can’t make those happen in a week, but they happen step by step. I’ve always trusted in the Lord to take care of me, which He did beautifully.”