Linda May Ridenhower

Linda May Ridenhower, 78 of Beach, ND passed away April 18, 2025 at her home surrounded by the love of her caring family. Linda was the proud matriarch of her family and was beloved by us all. Linda was a devout Christian throughout her entire life and the family is comforted to know that she has gone home to be with the Lord. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at the Silha Funeral Home in Beach. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at Grace Church in Beach with Pastor Ben Baker officiating. Interment will be in the Beach City Cemetery. Silha Funeral Home of Beach has been entrusted with the arrangements. Linda May was born April 17, 1947, to Donald and Joyce (Snow) Metcalf in Beach, ND. They lived in Trotters, ND. In 1950 the family was blessed by the birth of her brother, Ronald. Linda attended Divide School in Golden Valley County until Christmas of grade 6 when the school shut down and Linda and Ronald were transferred to school in Beach. The family moved to Beach in 1958, and she finished her schooling at Lincoln Elementary and then Beach High School, graduating in 1965. Linda also won the Homemaker of the Year award in 1965 with the Rainbow Girls club, a title she lived up to her entire life for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. June 26, 1965, Linda married her sweetheart, Howard Ridenhower. Then, immediately a big move to Verndale, MN. The Minnesota years were busy tackling various jobs while working on farms. All four of their children were born while living in Minnesota. They raised pigs, Howard trained horses, there was a large yard and garden to care for and plenty of horse shows to attend. In 1971, they bought a dairy farm where they won the Premier Dairy Farmer award, earning top producer for three years. In 1979 they sold the dairy farm, and the family made their return move to Beach. Howard began his career at West Plains Implement, while Linda was kept busy with her children, jobs at the Wibaux County Nursing Home and Golden Valley dispatch. She of course was very active with the Women of Evangelical Church and the Golden Valley Community Cupboard. Linda had a large garden every year and was always cooking, sewing, fixing, moving, and remodeling; absolutely anything that needed to be done. She was a talented painter and quilter. Her works of art are treasured by all those who had been gifted with a painting and later on, beautiful handmade quilts. Linda took great care while constructing the “This is Your Life” scrapbooks for each of her children. She meticulously saved newspaper clippings, report cards, pictures, and provided family background creating treasured keepsakes. Linda was a wonderful cook, baker and hostess. Countless large family gatherings were catered as a group effort by all the ladies in the family, but mostly everyone was after Linda’s lefse and chocolate birthday cakes. The 90’s brought more changes and adventures for Linda. By then all her kids were done with their schooling, and she was blessed by the births of her grandchildren. Linda was so proud of all eight of them, she had formed special and unique bonds with each of them. Oh, and more moving. In 1994, Howard and Linda move to Circle, MT then to Bowman/Scranton, ND in 1997, both times were to help establish another branch of West Plains Implement. Linda worked in the West Plains office while in Circle and then at Bowman County Elder Care. She and Howard made frequent trips back to Beach for visits with their parents. In 2009, Howard retired, and they made their final move back home to Beach. They did some traveling but mostly cared for their parents, hosted family gatherings and began assisting other church leaders in the big project of a new Church.... Grace Church. Since Howard’s passing in 2015, Linda has been blessed with 8 great-grandchildren which has filled her with even more love and joy. Linda is preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Joyce Metcalf; husband, Howard Ridenhower; father-in-law, Robert Ridenhower; mother-in-law, Gladys Berger; step father-in-law, Ed Berger; step father, Robert Austin; brother-in-law, Robert “Jim” Ridenhower; brother-in-law, George Stull. Linda leaves behind her children, Gwen (Kevin) Dahlen of Fargo, ND; Paul (Jodi) Ridenhower of Beach; Mark (Katie) Ridenhower of Sheridan, WY; John (Michele) Ridenhower of Billings, MT; brother, Ron (Karen) Metcalf of Skaar, ND; sister-in-law, Jean Stull of Yankton, SD; sister-in-law, Judy Ridenhower of Beach; sister-in-law, Marilyn (Joe) Snyder of Bismarck, ND; brother-in-law Gary (Lois) Ridenhower of Stillwater, MN; grandchildren, Joshua (Sarah) Dahlen and their children Noah and Uriah; Jaleesa Stengel and her daughter Adeliah; Mikayla Ridenhower (Cooper Merrill) and their children Clancy and Clayton; Casey Rieger (Matt Strasheim); Sage Ridenhower; Annastasia (Justin) Hoeft; Sheldon (Mariah) Ridenhower and their children Lettie and Ledger; Brooklyn Ridenhower (Trevor Clark) and their daughter Emberly; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, and friends. Special thanks to granddaughter Brooklyn, a wonderful nurse who took care of Linda around the clock during the last week of her life. Special thanks to granddaughter-in-law, Mariah who was of assistance to Brooklyn. Special thanks to daughter-in-law Jodi who accompanied Linda to her appointments. Special thanks to sister-in-law Judy who also accompanied Linda to some appointments and took care of many errands. Special thanks to all who came to visit and thank you all for the many prayers. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Linda’s name are suggested to Grace Church of Beach, ND. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

Linda May Ridenhower

April 17, 1947 - April 18, 2025

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

Linda May Ridenhower

April 17, 1947 - April 18, 2025

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support