Thelma May Ridlen

Thelma May Ridlen was born on May 29, 1931 in Imperial, Nebraska to Orrant “O.M.” and Lorena (Hart) Cook. She grew up in Imperial and graduated from Chase County High School. Thelma was united in marriage to Ray Ridlen on August 10, 1952 in Palisade, Nebraska. During the couple’s almost 66 years of marriage they lived in Lamar, Wauneta and Palisade, Nebraska.

Thelma drove school bus for over 30 years. She served the Palisade School System and the Wauneta-Palisade Schools. In addition to her years of service as a bus driver, Thelma also served the area as a member of the Community Service Club in Palisade, 4-H Clubs, Girl and Boy Scouts, she was an EMT and served on the ID-RA-HA-JE Bible Camp Staff. Thelma accepted Christ as her personal Savior at the age of 12 and attended the Bible Chapel in Palisade.

Her many hobbies included: baking (especially pies, rolls and cookies), noodle making, tatting, crocheting, embroidery and sewing clothes for family. She entered many items in the county fair and received Best of Show. Thelma enjoyed watching all sports, especially the Huskers and Wauneta-Palisade and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Thelma passed away Saturday evening, July 28th, 2018 at the Chase County Community Hospital in Imperial. She was 87 years of age.

She was preceded in death by her parents and son, Stanley.

Survivors include:
Husband, Ray Ridlen of Palisade, Nebraska
Daughter, Charlene Pfanstiel and husband, Grant of McCook, Nebraska
Son, Ronald Ridlen and wife, Nancy of Palisade, Nebraska
Son, Byron Ridlen and wife, Karleen of Anthony, Kansas
Daughter, Rhonda Ridlen of Palisade, Nebraska
Grandchildren: Shawn Pfanstiel and wife, Katie of Grand Island, Nebraska, Trevor Ridlen and wife, Danielle of McCook, Nebraska, Russell Ridlen and wife, Ashley of Oberlin, Kansas, Kim Pfanstiel of Grand Island, Nebraska, Keely Ridlen of Anthony, Kansas, and Benjamin Ridlen of Anthony, Kansas
Great-grandchildren: Emma Pfanstiel of Grand Island, Nebraska, Emmett Ridlen of McCook, Nebraska, Beckham Ridlen of Oberlin, Kansas and Hannah Pfanstiel of Grand Island, Nebraska.
Sister-in-law, Marie Mader of Tacoma, Washington
Sister-in-law, Leola Ridlen of Aurora, Colorado
Brother-in-law, Carl Ridlen and wife, Virginia of Fairview, Tennessee
Sister-in-law, Lucille Dinnel and husband Verlon of Imperial, Nebraska
Sister-in-law, Deanna Ridlen of Aurora, Colorado

Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. (CT), Thursday, August 2nd, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Palisade with Pastor Elias Mukindia and Mr. Dan Lindsted officiating. Interment will follow services in the Palisade Cemetery, Palisade, Nebraska.

Visitation will be Wednesday afternoon, August 1st, 2018 from 2:00-6:00 P.M. (MT) at Liewer Funeral Home in Wauneta.

A memorial has been established to the Palisade Volunteer Fire Department.

Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com

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