DONALD RIDGE, age 97, a longtime resident and farmer in Nobles County, MN passed away at Ecumen Meadows in Worthington, MN on Thursday, December 14, 2017. He was born July 15, 1920, in Rockwell City, IA. Don was the son of Floyd and Helen (Means) Ridge. He attended school in Rockwell City and graduated from high school there.

   Don married Leona Anderson on December 28, 1941 in Rockwell City. After marriage, the couple farmed near Rockwell City until 1944 when they moved to Worthington where they farmed until 1985 when he retired. They spent eighteen winters in Mesa, AZ following retirement. They moved to Owatonna, MN in September of 2012 and celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary on December 28, 2016. Following the death of Leona in January of 2017, Don moved back to Worthington and resided at the Ecumen Meadows.

   He served two terms on the Farmer’s Coop Elevator Board in Worthington and served as a deacon and trustee of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Worthington where he was a member for over fifty years. He was also a Shriner and member of the Masonic Lodge in Worthington. Don competed in the 1961 corn picking competition when it was held in Worthington, and was named the State and National Champion in the picker/sheller division. He also qualified and competed in the National competition the following year in Kearney, NE.

   Don is survived by his son, Gary (Glenda) Ridge, Owatonna, MN; daughter, Nancy (Tim Delahanty) King, Reno, NV; four grandchildren, Christi Reed, Sara (Jason) Jacobs, Blake (Melissa) King, and Brian (Vicki) King; and seven great grandchildren.

   He was preceded in death by his wife, Leona on January 12, 2017; his parents, Floyd and Helen Ridge; his brother, Russ Ridge; an infant grandsonr; and a granddaughter, Jennifer Ridge.

   The funeral service will be 11 am Monday, at the Dingman Funeral Home, in Worthington, officiated by Pastor Galen Smith. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. There will be a reception and celebration of Don’s life at the funeral home following the service. Burial after the reception will be at the Worthington Garden of Memories.

   Memorials are preferred to: Westminster Presbyterian Church, Worthington, MN, Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 2025 E. River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55414, or donor’s choice

   To view an online obituary, sign a virtual register book, or order flowers, please visit www.dingmannandsons.com

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