Julianna Francis (Kessler) Ridder passed away on Friday September 10, 2021. She was born on April 16, 1933, at the farm home of George and Frances (Berning) Kessler. She was one of eight children. Julie attended Elementary School in Marienthal, KS, and went to High School in Leoti, KS. After graduating, she worked as a nurse’s aide at St. Catherine’s Hospital in Garden City, KS. She then went to work in a dime store until her brother entered the Navy. Julie then returned home to help her dad with the farm.
Julie married Norman Ridder, who only lived five miles from her, on June 16, 1952, and they had five children. They took over Norman’s father’s farm until 1964, when they sold the farm to his brother and moved to Plains, MT, where they had bought a ranch. In 1967, they sold the ranch in Plains and moved to another ranch in St. Ignatius, MT. In 1974, they sold this ranch and moved to a ranch they had purchased on the Whitetail in Whitehall, MT. Later, Norman and Julie sold the ranch and retired.
Julie liked working in her flower and vegetable gardens, embroidery, quilting, and she eventually started her own ceramics business, where she taught ceramic classes.
Preceding Julie in death were her parents, infant son, Dennis; infant daughter, Marjorie; son, Darrell; sisters, Josephine (Roman) Droste, Antonette (Harry) Paul, Zita (Herman) Droste, and Sr. Genevieve, ASC. She was also preceded by brothers-in-law, Tom (Juanita) Dinges, Roman (Josephine) Droste, Herman (Zita) Droste, Albert (Johanna) Biel, Jr., and Harry (Antonette) Paul.
She is survived by her husband, Norman, and children, Debra (Dave) Murgel, Calvin Ridder, and Shelia Ridder; grandchildren, Elizabeth Ridder of Vista, CA, Chad Ridder, and Mike (Laci) Ridder of Butte, MT, Matt (Marilyn) Ridder of Belgrade, MT, Travis Ridder of Johnstown, CO, Caitlyn (Bobby) Pomroy of Elko, NV, Tracy (Bo) Talalotu-Clarabal of Helena, MT, Capt. Tom Murgel of Fort Lewis, WA, Anne Marcum of Stevensville, MT, Lee Marcum of Kentucky, Rosalie Carte of Stevensville, MT, and her 13 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Juanita (Tom) Dinges and Johanna (Albert, Jr.) Biel, and brother Hilary (Connie) Kessler.
Rosary was held in the Whitehall Catholic Church Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at 7:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial was held at the Catholic Church Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at 10:30 am with internment at the Whitehall Cemetery following.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department, Whitehall Ambulance, Jefferson Valley Museum or donor’s choice.
K & L Mortuaries will oversee funeral arrangements.
