James Ridenhower

Robert James Ridenhower, age 64 of Bakersfield, California, formerly of Bloomington, Illinois, died in St. Louis, Missouri on Wednesday, June 23, 2004. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Monday June 28, 2004 at the Beach Evangelical Church in Beach, North Dakota with Rev. Curtis Dikoff officiating. Interment will follow at the Sentinel Butte Cemetery in Sentinel Butte, North Dakota. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Beach is entrusted with arrangements. Robert James "Jim" Ridenhower was born on September 21, 1939 in Beach, North Dakota the son of Robert Marion and Gladys Rena (Klein) Ridenhower. He moved with his family to a farm/ranch near Trotters, North Dakota where he attended the Arvid School. His family bought a small farm east of Sentinel Butte in 1950 where Jim graduated from high school in 1957. Jim attended Dickinson State and graduated with a BS in music in 1961 and later added an English major. Jim began his teaching career at Richardton, and then Sentinel Butte North Dakota. He married Deborah Jane Rummel on August 17, 1965 at Richardton. After his marriage they moved to Savage and Glendive, Montana where he taught. While in Glendive Jim built Fort Yellowstone, based on his love of guns, hunting and experiences working at Yellowstone Park in the summertime during his college years. With help from family and friends he built and operated the store for several years. He earned the nickname "Buffalo Jim" for the buffalo kept at the Fort. He was active in community work and was a member of the Glendive Lions Club. Jim and Debbie were divorced in 1982 and he returned to teaching. He taught at New England and Carson, North Dakota and Colme and Faith South Dakota. Jim loved music and jamming. He would travel long distances to play music. He was a member of the Tommy Matthews Orchestra while in South Dakota as well as the Monday Night or Thursday Nighters jam sessions. Jim could play most instruments and taught private lessons during the years spent working at Tolzien’s Music store in Amarillo, Texas. He sang in and/or directed Church Choirs in many of the places he lived. His sense of humor and friendliness matched his love of travel and he enjoyed living in many different places. Jim was married to Janice Baxter in May of 1994. They were divorced in May of 2000. He was married to Elizabeth Wright on June 23, 2004 in Normal, Illinois. They traveled extensively and he used his carpentry skills remodeling their house in Illinois. Jim was a family oriented guy. He loved having family around him and enjoyed his daughters, grandchildren and many brothers, sisters and in-law families. He maintained his wry sense of humor even during his illness. Jim had been in failing health since brain tumor surgery in July of 2002. He spent several long periods of time in hospitals in Bloomington, Illinois and six months at a hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. He died from the results of pancreatitis on their 4th wedding anniversary. Robert was preceded in death by his father Robert Ridenhower in 1973. Robert is survived by his wife Linda Wright of Bakersfield, California; two daughters Carla Latka and her children Dennis "D.J." and Sara Rose Latka all of Alliance, Nebraska and Nicole "Nikki" Braun and her children, Lane Deines and Jasmin Deines and Trey Braun all of Kearney, Nebraska; his mother Gladys Berger (Ed) of Beach, North Dakota; three sisters, Gladys Jean Stull (George) of Yankton, South Dakota, Judy Ridenhower of Beach, North Dakota and Marilyn Snyder (Joe) of Bismarck, North Dakota; two brothers, Howard Ridenhower (Linda) of Scranton, North Dakota and Gary Ridenhower (Lois) of Afton, Minnesota and numerous nephews and nieces.

James Ridenhower

September 21, 1939 - June 28, 2004

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James Ridenhower

September 21, 1939 - June 28, 2004

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support