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Iva Dean ‘Dee’ Ridenour, 88

1928 – 2017

Born Dec. 5, 1928, in Cincinnati, Ark., died Jan. 12, 2017, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Graduate and Valedictorian of Cincinnati High School in 1945.

Married to Charles Leonard “Chuck” Ridenour in Siloam Springs, Ark., April 21, 1946.

Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, at Real Life Ministries, 610 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene.

Preceded in death by husband Charles Leonard “Chuck” Ridenour; father and mother Marion and Bessie Ogden; brothers Mansford Ogden, Harmon Ogden and Sy Simon; nephews Marion Ray Pike, John Ogden and Gary Ogden; and granddaughter Jennifer Lynn Ridenour.

Survived by children Steve and Vickey Ridenour, and Marsha and Bill Reese; grandchildren Stephanie and Mike Leasure, Elizabeth and Tommy Page, Matthew Ridenour, Kathryn Ridenour, Kurt and Tamara Reese, Kevin and Leslie Reese, K.C and A.J. Reese and Kyle Reese; and great-grandchildren Brody, Milan, Paxton, Grace, Lucille, Caden, Brooklyn, Kai, Kole and Baby Anna Jean.

Also survived by sister Fawnetta “Aunt Tuck” Simon, nephew Harold Pike and family; sister-in-law Doris “Aunt Dimp” Alderson and family; as well as “adopted” grandchildren Michelle Atterbury, Rustam and Jemma Abdurahmanov; and other nieces, nephews, cousins and beloved friends.

End of an Earthly Era and the Beginning of Celebration in Heaven!

Our Mother, Dee “Mammaw” Ridenour, went to be with the Lord on Jan. 12, 2017, and is reunited with her loving husband and our father, Chuck Ridenour, as well as other family and friends who have gone before. We want to share this with all of you because we know how many have loved her and how she touched so many of your lives in a special way!

“Greater love has no one than this, that she lay down her life for her friends.” John 15:13 (LSR Rev. Version)

Simply put, there has never been any person that we have ever known who has exemplified unconditional love, sacrificial giving and subordination of self more than Dee Ridenour. She embodied Christ-likeness throughout her life in a way that honored God, her family and friends, without any thought of acknowledgment, attention or approval of others. She lived to serve, and left a legacy of love, self-sacrifice and continual giving that was without equal. Her Love always protected, it always trusted, it always hoped and it did and always shall persevere! She was the perfect wife, mother and grandmother, and taught all of us how to love or spouses and one another.

While we are all eternally thankful that “Mammaw” is now completely healed and no longer strains and suffers to breathe, we were not ready for her to leave us. No doubt this is out of our desire and need for her in our life, but those who knew and loved her could not blame us… just as her oldest great-grandson, Brody, declared that he wanted his future children to know her. The truth is, Everyone wanted the “Mammaw” Experience! We just had to loan her to Heaven for a while until that day when we are all together again.

Mother, we love you with all of our hearts, with an intensity that is beyond description, and we thank you for the example of Christ you modeled for us through your life and, yes, your Christ-likeness even in death. Just as Jesus went to the cross and conquered death for every man, woman and child, you took up your cross, and, by following in His footsteps, gave us the greatest gift of all!

Happy Homegoing Mother and Mammaw, with Love and Thanksgiving from your Family!