Dorothy L. Ridder

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Dorothy L. Ridder, 95, of rural Westmoreland, KS, passed away Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at the Westy Community Care Home.

She was born February 1, 1924 on her family farm near Flush, KS, the daughter of Lawrence and Anna (Zink) Repp. She attended grade school and high school at Flush, graduating in the class of 1942. Dorothy married Merlyn John Ridder at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Flush on June 19, 1947. He preceded her in death on January 18^th of 2014.

Dorothy worked at the KSU Dairy Extension Office for several years between school and marriage. She also was a school bus driver from 1965 to 1990, and also worked at the Westy Care Home in the mid to late 1970’s. She was a lifetime member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Flush, which she was very active in the church Altar Society, prayer group, and also served as the church organist while she was in high school. She was also an active member of the local E.H.U. Dorothy was an avid gardener, a fabulous cook, and enjoyed doing needle-work. She was one of the most gentle and caring persons you could meet. 

Her survivors include: five daughters, Linda Morris (Don) of Junction City, KS, Kathy Haidley (Jim) of Omaha, NE, Micki Suther (Ron) of Blaine, KS, Bev Herrman (Glenn) of Winchester, KS, Annette Dortch (Larry) of Kearney, MO; two sons, Larry Ridder (Darla) of Westmoreland, KS, Rick Ridder (Michele) of Flush, KS; 18 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren with one more expected soon, and three great-great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews.  She was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Jo; one brother, Robert Repp; and three sisters, Ann Lorrain Repp, Freda Repp, and Ellen Ohle.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 11, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Flush. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Mrs. Ridder will lie in-state at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego beginning at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, where a Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. with visitation until 8:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the “Dorothy Ridder Nursing Education Fund” and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, PO Box 48, 66547.