RAY D. RIDLEN
Ray Dean Ridlen was born June 22, 1932, in rural Chase County, Nebraska, to James Pearl and Ethel (Roll) Ridlen. Ray grew up in Chase County and attended country school, later he received his GED. Ray was inducted into the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War. After his discharge, he returned to southwest Nebraska to farm with his family.
On August 10, 1952, Ray married Thelma May Cook at the Gospel Hall in Palisade, Nebraska. During the couple’s almost 66 years of marriage, they lived in Lamar, Wauneta and Palisade. Ray was a life-time farmer. He was also part owner of the Pioneer Café and he drove the school bus for many years.
Ray was a member of the Palisade Bible Chapel, American Legion Post #318 VFW, Palisade School Board, Community Service Club in Palisade, and Palisade Volunteer Fire Department. Ray enjoyed throwing horseshoes and he especially loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ray passed away Saturday, May 4, 2019, at his home in Palisade. He was 86 years of age.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law: Orrant and Lorena Cook; wife: Thelma; son: Stanley Wayne; brothers: Lee, Paul, Roy and Robert; sisters: Lois and Pauline.
Survivors Include:
Daughter: Charlene Pfanstiel and husband, Grant, of McCook, NE
Son: Ronald Ridlen and wife, Nancy, of Palisade, NE
Son: Byron Ridlen and wife, Karleen, of Anthony, KS
Daughter: Rhonda Ridlen of Palisade, NE
6 Grandchildren: Shawn Pfanstiel and wife Katie of Grand Island, NE; Trevor Ridlen and wife Danielle of McCook, NE; Russell Ridlen and wife Ashley of Oberlin, KS; Kim Pfanstiel of Grand Island, NE; Keely Ridlen of Anthony, KS; and Benjamin Ridlen of Anthony, KS.
5 Great-Grandchildren: Emma Pfanstiel of Grand Island, NE; Emmett Ridlen of McCook, NE; Beckham Ridlen of Oberlin, KS; Hannah Pfanstiel of Grand Island, NE, and Paisleigh Hughes of Anthony, KS.
Sister: Marie Mader of Tacoma, WA
Sister: Lucille Dinnel and husband, Verlon, of Imperial, NE
Brother: Carl Ridlen of Fairview, TN
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 10:30 A.M. (Central Time) at the Palisade Elementary Gymnasium, Palisade , NE, with Keith Trevolt officiating. Interment will follow at the Palisade Cemetery, Palisade, NE
Visitation will be held before services on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, starting at 9:00 A.M., (CT) at the Palisade Elementary Gymnasium.
A memorial has been suggested to the Palisade Volunteer Fire and rescue Department, Palisade, Nebraska
On line condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com
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