Marianne Ridder

Marianne Ridder, 92, of Callaway, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on April 9, 2017 at Kearney Good Samaritan Hospital. Marianne lived independently at the family ranch for most of her life until she moved to Quality Senior Villages in Broken Bow in April, 2016. Marianne was born in Harlan, Iowa on June 24, 1924 to her parents Catherine and Wm. Henry Clark. She was the fourth of six children, including siblings Gerry, Wilma, Ted, David, and Catherine Louise. The family later moved to a farm near Cedar Rapids, Iowa for 5 years before settling in North Platte, Nebraska. Marianne graduated from North Platte High School in 1942, where she took great pride in being the drum major for the marching band for all four years. After completing two years of business school, Marianne worked in North Platte where she met her husband, Paul Ridder, while he was training at Lee Bird Field as a flight instructor for the Civil Air Patrol. The couple married on September 18, 1945, shortly after the end of WWII. After a brief stay in the Callaway area, the couple and their young son, John, moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where they resided and remained active in the ranching business for nearly seven years. Two daughters, Christine and Marilyn were born in Steamboat Springs before the family returned to the Callaway area in 1955. Another son, Gregory, joined the family before Paul and Marianne built their dream home on the Ridder Ranch in 1962. Marianne and Paul operated the ranch together until Paul’s death in 1972. Marianne continued to live at and operate the family ranch for another 40 plus years after Paul’s death. Marianne loved Hereford cattle and was active in many association activities. In addition to the ranch life, Marianne loved gardening, traveling, and enjoying the wildlife of Nebraska. Marianne was involved in a number of local clubs and organizations including bridge club and Sorosis. Marianne was an active member of the St. Boniface Church for 60 plus years, a cornerstone of her life. Family and friends were her priority and she attended as many school and sporting activities of her children and grandchildren as possible. Marianne is survived by two sisters, Wilma (Stan) Preston of San Antonio, TX and Catherine Louise Sawyer of California; her children John (Mary) of Callaway, Christine of Nova Scotia, Marilyn (Mark) of Portland Oregon, and Gregory (Chika) of Elk River Minnesota. Marianne is also survived by 11 grandchildren; Luke (Rachel) of Duluth MN, Joe (Christine) of Holdrege, Maggie (Heath) of Omro, WI, Dan (Leah) of Omaha, Erin of Hastings, Elizabeth of Omaha, Ellen and Tricia of Kearney, Sophie of Portland, OR, and Ren and Kan of Elk River, MN and 4 great-grandchildren; Claire, Jack, George and Grace. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Paul; sister Gerry; and brothers Ted and David. A rosary service will be held Monday, April 17, at 7:00 pm at St. Boniface Church in Callaway with a closed-casket visitation from 6:00-7:00 pm per her wishes. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 am on Tuesday, April 18, at St. Boniface with Rev. Thomas Gudipalli officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill cemetery. Timm-Reynolds Love Funeral Home in Callaway is assisting the family with arrangements. To share online condolences with the family, please visit: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. The family recognizes the compassionate care Marianne received from the staff at Quality Senior Villages and at Kearney Good Samaritan Hospital.