Julianna Francis Ridder, 88

Julianna Francis (Kessler) Ridder passed away on Thursday Sept. 9, 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 had 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, embroidering, 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 Kessler, ASC. She was also preceded by brother-in-laws 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 Carter 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 will be held in the Whitehall Catholic Church Tuesday Sept. 14, 2021, at 7:30 pm.

Funeral Mass will be at the Catholic Church Wednesday Sept. 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 Dept., Whitehall Ambulance, Jefferson Valley Museum or donor’s choice.

K & L Mortuaries will oversee funeral arrangements.