White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – M. Jean Ridder, 75 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Friday, April 18, 2014, at UPH Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa.  She was born on May 1, 1938, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Arsene Prospere and Charmion Elizabeth (Wroe) VanDaele.  She graduated from high school in Independence with the Class of 1956 and she graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, in 1960.  Mrs. Ridder was a teacher in the Independence Community School District until retiring in 1976.  On April 4, 1970, she and Robert Lee Ridder were married at the First United Methodist Church in Independence.  They later divorced.  Mrs. Ridder was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Independence where she sang in the choir for many years and participated in several women’s groups.  She also was a volunteer at the Independence Senior Center.  She enjoyed her grandchildren, playing cards and Bingo, and writing letters.

Mrs. Ridder is survived by 2 sons, John (Michelle) Ridder of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Michael (Jodi) Ridder of Independence, Iowa, and 5 grandchildren, Cameron Ridder, Brayden Ridder, Ryann Ridder, Elsie Ridder, and Tyler Adams.  She is also survived by 2 step sisters, Donna (Denny) Stainbrook of Brandon, Iowa, and Delores Begley of Whittier, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her step father, Lyman Albaugh.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church in Independence with Rev. Scott Meador officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22^nd, at the White Funeral Home in Independence.