Obituary of Minnie Marie Ridner

Minnie Marie Butler was born January 22, 1921 in Monroe.   She was the second oldest of seven children born from the late Roy and Lavina (Bosenbark) Butler Sr.   Minnie attended Monroe High School.   She would marry the love of her life, Nolan Ridner, on August 14, 1937 in Erie.  

Minnie and Nolan would be blessed with the birth of four children:  Nolan Jr., Gerald, Beverly, and Janice.   During World War II, Minnie, supported the efforts state-side while working as a welder at the Willow Run Bomber Plant.   She was a devoted wife and mother, and later had been employed at a cannery in Dundee. 

The young family attended Zion United Methodist Church in LaSalle where, Minnie, would teach Sunday School for many years.   As the children became older, she would take employment for eighteen years with Mason Consolidated Schools as a Bus Driver.   She enjoyed participating in senior bowling leagues for many years.   The couple was married nearly sixty-six years when Nolan passed away on June 6, 2003.   Minnie would make her home at Mable Kehres Apartments for several years enjoying activities there.   She most recently made her home with daughter, Beverly in Fort Wayne, Indiana since 2011.

Minnie Marie Ridner, age 98, of Fort Wayne, Indiana passed away on Sunday, January 27, 2019 at her home under the care of Heartland Hospice.    In addition to her parents, passing was preceded by her beloved husband: Nolan Ridner Sr.; five brothers: Leo, Roy, Leon, Walter, and David Butler; two sisters: Alice Monday and Ilene Vickers; two great granddaughters: Ava Rose Ridner and Kelsey Aldrich; and son-in-law:  Martin Burgard.

To cherish her memory, Minnie leaves two sons:  Nolan (Millie) Ridner Jr. of South Haven and Gerald (Judy) Ridner of Monroe; two daughters:  Beverly Burgard of Fort Wayne, Indiana and Janice (Carl) Farmer of Columbus, Indiana; one brother: Ronald (Cathy) Patterson of Monroe; eight grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren, twelve great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends may gather on Friday, February 1, 2019 from 2:00pm-6:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway (734)241-7070.   A Celebration of Her Life will follow at 6:00pm also at Merkle’s with Pastor Roy Southerland officiating.   Private interment will take place at Roselawn.

Memorials for those who desire are suggested to The Wounded Warriors Project.   Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, or send a floral arrangement by visiting www.merklefs.com.