Cover photo for Von Riddle's Obituary
Von Riddle Profile Photo

Von Riddle

December 19, 1938 — May 11, 2017

Von Riddle

Von Lester Riddle, 78, Dickinson, passed away Thursday, May 11, 2017 at his home, with his wife by his side. Funeral services for Von will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, with Pastor Janel Kolar officiating. Burial will follow at Pioneer Cemetery, Taylor, ND.


Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Stevenson Funeral Home with a Masonic Service and Prayer Service being held at 6:00 p.m.


Von Riddle was born to Lester Lee Riddle and Irene Catherine (Eder) Riddle in Harlem, Montana, on December 19th, 1938. He had 3 sisters (Alice, Delores and Florence) and one brother (Henry). At age 3, Von moved with his family to the Riddle ranch in Libby, Montana, where he began his working career as a “gandy dancer” for the railroad. After a few years maintaining tracks for the railroad, Von’s next job was at the Saint Regis saw mill, where he served as a handyman for all of their departments. With his first wife, Von had 3 children: Sherri Lynn, Gary Von and Allison Leone. Von met Patricia May Benzie during her first teaching assignment in Libby, Montana. On June 28th, 1970, in Dickinson, North Dakota, he married Pat, who became his best friend and partner for the following 46 years. Following 3 years in Baraboo, WI, they moved to Dickinson, North Dakota, where their two children (Patricia Irene and Lester Donovan) were born. Dickinson remained Von’s home until his passing. Von’s brother Henry, already a truck driver, taught him to drive semi-trucks, which would become his lifelong career. Von drove over a million miles as a trucker. He was known for his professionalism, safety record, and effectiveness as an instructor for new drivers. Von drove for North American Van Lines, Cloverdale Dairy, CENEX Transportation, Schwartzmann Trucking, Jesperson Farms AG Delivery, G.A. Sadowsky Fuel Supplier, and Hoovestol Postal and Freight Transportation. In his retirement, Von worked for Winn Construction in an unofficial capacity. Von was involved in the First Congregational Church men’s fellowship group, Dickinson Masonic Lodge #32, Frontiersmen El Zagal Shriners, Boy Scouts (as a leader in Troop 32), and West Dakota Auto Club. An active Shriner, Von loved demonstrating and selling toys at their annual circus. Von enjoyed numerous hobbies, including hunting, fishing, and black powder rifles. Von loved socializing, with family, friends- and anyone he was around. Von made such an impression on hospital staff that the nurses jockeyed for the fun of having him as a patient. Von was an enthusiastic cook and baker, who loved to read cookbooks, and was known for his delicious rhubarb cake. Von’s children and grandchildren recall the hearty laughter that showed his love of family. Neighborhood kids and grandkids alike reveled in his enthusiasm for the latest toys. His long hours driving semi-trucks didn’t dampen his enthusiasm for exploration, still enjoying road trips with family and friends. Von enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune, documentaries, old Westerns, MeTV and audiobooks.


Von was preceded in death by his father, mother, sisters, Delores Lisonbee and Florence Mays, brother-in-law Bill Waits, and sister-in-law Jackie Riddle.


Von is survived by his wife Pat Riddle, sister Alice Waits, Centralia, WA brother Henry Riddle, Cut Bank, MT; five children, Tricia Riddle (Dr. Anthony) Morton, Albuquerque, NM, Lester Riddle, Dickinson, Sherri Murry, Puyallup, WA, Gary Riddle, Elk River, MN, and Allison Dunlap, McMinnville, OR; 13 grandchildren: Keelin, Eli and Fiona Morton; Amanda, Sadie, Heidi, and Melissa Riddle; Nicholas and Madeline Murry; Christine (Dunlap) Paulsen, Alicia, Robert, and William Dunlap. Lillian Paulsen, is Von’s great-grandchild.


In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriner Hospitals for Children, or charity of donor’s choice.

To donate to Shriners Hospitals for Children, go to:


www.shrinershospitals.org


If you prefer to mail in your donation, please send checks to:


Shriners Hospitals


2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607


Riddle VOn


Burial Date: May 17, 2017
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND
Church 1st Congregational Church

Funeral Service:  2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 17, 2017, First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, Dickinson.
Masonic Service and Prayer Service:  6:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 16, 2017, Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Von Riddle, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Visits: 36

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree