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Elwyn J. Ridder

1926 - 2012

September 30, 1926 - April 3, 2012

Dr. Elwyn J. Ridder, 85, passed away on April 3, 2012 at 12:56 AM at Heritage Care Center in Mason City, Iowa, where he had resided over the past one year. Based on Dr. Ridder’s wishes, he will be cremated and there will be a private inurnment at Klemme Cemetery, Klemme, IA. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider monetary or other memorials in his honor to the Clear Lake Senior Center, of which he was a member and spent many enjoyable hours, visiting and playing pool with his peers.

Elwyn, “EJ” or “Doc”, as he was known by his many patients, was born to Ben and Hattie Ridder on September 30, 1926 in Klemme, IA. He spent his youth growing up and working on the family farm, attending Klemme High School and graduating on May 16, 1944.

As he entered his 20’s, he responded to an invitation from his cousin to travel to Washington State, where he went to work on a 5000+ acre wheat ranch in the Waterville area, performing ranch labor and running wheat combines. At some point, he purchased his first, of what would be many, Harley Davidson motorcycle and toured Washington State during his time there. It was during that time that he became introduced to Chiropractic, seeking relief of allergies with a chiropractor in Wenatchee; he was impressed enough with the results, and the profession, that he subsequently returned to Davenport, IA to attend and graduate from Palmer College of Chiropractic with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree.

During his course of study at Palmer, Elwyn met Avalon Brown, who would become his wife on June 16, 1951 and they remained together, until his recent passing, over some 62 years. As Elwyn used to recall it, “I knew the minute I saw her that she was the one!" On graduating from Palmer College on December 18, 1951, he and Avalon continued working in the Davenport area and saving their money. At some point, they headed west to Washington State and spent the next year working, once again on the Barnes wheat ranch near Waterville, as well as picking apples; from which they saved up enough money to return to Clear Lake, IA to equip and open a Chiropractic practice on January 2, 1956. Avalon and Elwyn built that practice together over the years from the ground up, with Avalon as the office manager, and continued caring for patients from all over north central Iowa over the next 32 years, until their retirement on September 28, 1988.

During those years, Elwyn had a very successful practice and always took pride in helping folks feel better; however, his influence was not limited to physical conditions; he had a profound and positive influence on many people, and his example sparked the desire to be a successful, better person in a significant number of young people. This was no better evidenced than by the early proclamation of his, then 4 year-old, brother-in-law that “I want to be just like him!” That same, young brother-in-law spent many summers in Clear Lake with Avalon and “EJ”, learning to swim, water ski, ride motorcycles and snowmobiles, watching as patients were counseled and treated, accompanying “Doc” on house calls (when house calls were still part of the services available!) in the evenings or on weekends, and attending seminars and symposiums about healthcare and chiropractic. Based on Dr. Ridder’s same positive influence and example, that same young brother-in-law ultimately attended Palmer College, obtained his chiropractic degree, subsequently moved himself and his family to Washington State to live and practice, and continues so to this date.

Over the years, Elwyn and Avalon enjoyed flying, snowmobiling, water-skiing, ice skating, motorcycling and traveling; they visited Florida, Arizona, Washington, Alaska and all of the states in between numerous times, most provinces of Canada and, at least on one occasion, they visited New Zealand. Elwyn particularly enjoyed the mountains and being able to get above “tree-line”. Over the last few years, the Clear Lake Senior Center became very special to him, where he enjoyed meals, visiting and playing pool with his friends on a regular basis. Elwyn’s continuing advice over the years to family and friends was to “Save your money!”, “Have as much fun as you can!” and finally “Remember me in life!” This man was loved, respected and admired and will be dearly missed.

Our family wants to convey our sincere thanks to Lori, Annie and the other staff and caregivers at Heritage Care Center in Mason City, who provided consistent, loving care for Elwyn over this past year.

Elwyn is survived by his wife Avalon Ridder, Clear Lake, IA; one sister Ruth Gast, Garner, IA, brother-in-law Dr. John R. Logan and his wife Elaine of Kirkland, WA, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Elwyn was preceded in death by his father and mother.

source: Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St, Clear Lake, IA

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