Esther Violet Ridley

Esther V. Ridley, 86 of Devils Lake, ND died on Thursday, June 9, 2005 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Esther will be held on Friday, June 17, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Marvin Winstryg will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers will be: John Burckhard, Ron Vander Heiden, Richard Vander Heiden, Jerry Johnson, Robert Blair and John Davis. Music will be cared for by Patty Cote. Esther Violet Shipman was born on January 29, 1919 at Janesville, Wisconsin, the daughter of Munro and Nellie (Yarnall) Shipman. At a very young age her family moved to Devils Lake where she attended Devils Lake Public School. She then worked as a housekeeper for several Devils Lake families. On November 16, 1938, Esther was united in marriage to Henry “Hank” Ridley. They moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a few years, returning to North Dakota in 1942 to the family farm near Southam. In 1944, they moved to Devils Lake where Hank was the owner/operator of Hank’s Garage until retiring in 1976. Hank died on September 5, 1979. Esther continued to make her home in Devils Lake through the years. Esther was a member of First United Methodist Church. Esther left a legacy of that of “a caretaker.” She spent her life taking care of her family and others. If you were at Hank’s Garage close to any mealtime or lunch time, you were invited into Esther’s kitchen to enjoy a home-cooked meal along with the family. This could be five, six or more extra people, but Esther always managed to put together a delicious feast for everyone. Esther will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends. May she rest in peace. Esther is survived by her daughter, Janice Schwartzenberger, Portland, Oregon Granddaughter: Kim Schwartzenberger also Portland Many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews also survive She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Hank; sisters, Nellie Vander Heiden and Besse Wade; brothers, James Shipman, Munro Shipman and Harold Shipman. Friends may sign the on-line register book at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com