DALE RIDLEY

R. Dale Ridley, 75 of Devils Lake and a long time rural Wales farmer, passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at his home in the loving care of his family. Funeral Services for Dale will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Adrian Olson officiating. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Graveside Services for Dale will be held on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. at Elkwood Cemetery, rural Langdon. Serving as Casket Bearers for Dale will be Jason Amble, Justin Amble, Glen Ridley, John Ridley, Kevin Johnston and Duane Gage. Music will be provided by Curt Kram and Judy Kram. Ronald Dale was born on November 20, 1936 at Langdon, ND the son of John Albert and Eva (Nickerson) Ridley. He grew up on the farm east of Maida and attended elementary school in the one room school at Elkwood. He graduated from Langdon High School with the class of 1954. Dale was united in marriage to Margaret Helen McElroy on December 18, 1954 at Darlingford, Manitoba, Canada. They established their home on the Ridley farm until 1963 when they moved to their farm, rural Wales. Here they lived, farmed side by side and raised their children through the years. Starting in 2003, they would spend the winter months in Devils Lake and return to the farm in the summer and in the fall of 2008 made Devils Lake their permanent home. Dale’s priorities were family and farming. If you wanted to enjoy some hunting and fishing time with family and friends, you got up early and got the farm work done. Of course, the hunting and fishing was very special as it was a time to relax, enjoy the outdoors and fully appreciate the beauty of nature and the blessings of God in his life. The family did enjoy many fishing trips to Canada through the years and also traveling around the country and often the grandchildren were included in those trips. In the winter months, Dale and Helen would go to Texas or Arizona for a few months or other traveling to many states West of the Mississippi including Alaska and also Minnesota, Wisconsin and even a trip to Australia. Dale and Helen also enjoyed curling at the rink in Wales and participating in area bonspiels. Dale also put in many hours restoring classic cars and old tractors. After retiring from farming, Dale enjoyed a cup of coffee and good conversation with the area farmers and neighbors whenever he got the chance. We can’t imagine life without Dale and he will be missed, but will be in our hearts forever. Dale is survived by Helen his wife of 57 years; son Larry Ridley and his wife Diane of Jamestown, ND and daughter Janet and her husband Roger Amble of Sarles, ND; grandchildren Maggie Ridley; Jason (Amanda) Amble of West Fargo, Justin Amble of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Megan Amble of Williston, ND; step grandchildren Sadie (Jody) Lindbo of Jamestown and Cody Fettig of Fargo and a great grandson Liam Amble of West Fargo. Dale was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Alan Ridley and Donald Ridley; sister Gay Agar; father-in-law and mother-in-law Alvin and Mattie McElroy; triplet great grandchildren Emma, Braeden and Lauren Amble