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Roger A. "Lefty" Ridder

1929 - 2008

Roger A. "Lefty" Ridder, 79, Klemme, died December 24, 2008 at Muse Norris Hospice in Mason City surrounded by his family. Services were held December 29 at the Klemme United Methodist Church with Reverend Paddy Druhl officiating. The Klemme Military Honor Guard provided honors.

Roger was born September 6, 1929 in Klemme, the son of Levi and Dolores (Koerner) Ridder. He graduated from Klemme High School in 1947. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Bad Hersfeld, Germany where he met his wife Margot Hesse. Roger was honorably discharged as a Corporal. Roger married Margot in Weiterode, Germany on December 25, 1949. He lived and worked in Germany for the next 15 years before he and Margot and their five children moved back to the United States in 1964. Roger worked as a salesman for KLSM radio in Mason City before he dedicated himself to full-time farming. Roger lived a conservative lifestyle and abhorred waste. He was a conservationist before it was fashionable. He enjoyed playing pool and Trivial Pursuit with his family, and anything that stimulated the brain. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, teaching them the value of a nickel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and infant sister Marilyn.

Survivors include his wife; children Monica (Paul) Kruse, Randy (Patt) Ridder, Sylvia Shell, Gloria (Rik Young) Bittner and Sonja (Ray Schmidt) Ridder; grandchildren Tanya, Derek (Nicole), Justin, Ryan (Karrie) Shawn, Veronica (Josh), Nickolas, Christopher (Amber), Samantha, Lisa, Trenton, Jacob and Makenzie; great-grandchildren Alexis, Madisyn and Ashton; brother Dennis; sister Maralee; and close family friend Darlene Toyne.


source: Belmond Independent, 30 Dec 2008

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Roger A. "Lefty" Ridder, age 79, of Klemme, died on Wednesday, December 24, 2008, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient in Mason City, surrounded by his family.

Services were held on Monday, December 29, at the Klemme United Methodist Church, Klemme. The Rev. Paddy Druhl officiated. The Klemme Military Honor Guard provided full military honors. Those wishing to express their sympathies to the family through a memorial in Roger's name may direct them to Roger's family, or to the donor's choice.

Roger was born on September 6, 1929 in Klemme, the son of Levi and Dolores (Koerner) Ridder. He graduated from the Klemme High School in 1947. He went on to serve his country in the United States Army. Roger was stationed in Bad Hersfeld, Germany, where he met his wife, Margot Hesse. Roger was honorably discharged as a Corporal. Roger married Margot in Weiterode, Germany on December 25, 1949. He lived and worked in Germany for the next 15 years before he and Margot and their five children moved back to the United States in 1964.

Roger worked as a salesman for KLSM Radio in Mason City for a time before he dedicated himself to full-time farming.

Roger lived a conservative lifestyle and abhorred waste. He was a conservationist before it was fashionable. He enjoyed playing pool and Trivial Pursuit with his family and anything that stimulated the brain. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and teaching them the value of a nickel.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years, Margot Ridder of Klemme; five children, Monica (Paul) Kruse, Randy (Patt) Ridder, Sylvia Shell, Gloria (Rik Young) Bittner and Sonja (Ray Schmidt) Ridder; grandchildren, Tanya, Derek (Nicole), Justin, Ryan (Karrie) Shawn, Veronica (Josh), Nickolas, Christopher (Amber), Samantha, Lisa, Trenton, Jacob and Makenzie; and great-grandchildren, Alexis, Madisyn and Ashton; a brother, Dennis and sister, Maralee; close family friend, Darlene Toyne; and many other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his infant sister.


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