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Esther M. Ridenour

Esther Magdalene (Solem) Ridenour passed away peacefully at her home on June 8, 2011. She was 81.

Esther was born in Willow Lake, S.D., on July 13, 1929, to Nordt Olaf and Belle (Clark) Solem. She was raised in Arlington and Winifred, S.D. The fourth of five children, she was preceded in death by her sister, Kathryn Schultz, and her brother Herb. She is survived by her brothers, Donald and Norris.

She married Wayne Bakke, and had two children - Connie in 1948 and Tom in 1949. They moved to California in 1952 where Esther worked at Occidental Insurance and as a medical assistant for a private practice. She married her second husband, Patrick Ridenour, and they lived in Southern California, Groveland and Phoenix, Ore., and traveled the world. After Patrick passed away, Esther moved to Sonoma in 1998.

Esther lived an active life. She enjoyed playing golf, bridge and entertaining friends. In Sonoma, she was active in the Women's Club and as a docent for the state parks system.

A strong commitment to family and a small town upbringing produced a humble, caring and generous person. She will be missed by all her friends and relatives.

She is survived by her daughter, Connie Boysen, of Susanville; her son, Tom Bakke, and wife, Linda Brekken, of Sonoma; step-son, Terry and wife, Karen Ridenour, of Las Vegas; granddaughter, Brigitte and husband, Mark Foster, and great-grandsons, Sheldon and Sawyer of Taylorsville; granddaughter, Wendy Phillips and great-granddaughter, Haylee, of Modesto; great-granddaughter, Heather Kuykendall, of Escalon; and grandson, Alex Boswell, of Davis.

Esther was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and took great comfort in her faith and her many friends there. We are indebted to the congregation for all their loving care and support during her cancer treatments.

Friends are invited to a memorial service at Faith Lutheran Church, Saturday, June 18, at 1 p.m.

Donations may be made to Memorial Fund of Faith Lutheran Church, 19355 Arnold Dr., Sonoma, CA 95476, or the charity of your choice.