Von Lester Riddle

Von Lester Riddle, 78, of Dickinson passed away Thursday, May 11, 2017 at his home, with his wife by his side. A funeral service for Von was held 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, with Pastor Janel Kolar officiating. Burial followed at Pioneer Cemetery in Taylor, North Dakota.

The family received friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Stevenson Funeral Home with a Masonic Service and Prayer Service held at 6 p.m.

Von Riddle was born to Lester Lee Riddle and Irene Catherine (Eder) Riddle in Harlem, Montana, on December 19, 1938. He had three sisters (Alice, Delores and Florence) and one brother (Henry). At age three, Von moved with his family to the Riddle ranch in Libby, 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 three children: Sherri Lynn, Gary Von and Allison Leone. Von met Patricia May Benzie during her first teaching assignment from 1967-1969 in Libby.

On June 28, 1970, in Dickinson, North Dakota, he married Pat, who became his best friend and partner for the following 46 years. Following three years in Baraboo, Wisconsin, 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 No. 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 great 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 of Centralia, Washington; brother Henry Riddle of Cut Bank; five children: Tricia Riddle (Dr. Anthony) Morton of Albuquerque, Lester Riddle of Dickinson, Sherri Murry of Puyallup, Gary Riddle of Elk River, Minnesota, and Allison Dunlap of McMinnville, Oregon; 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; and great-grandchild Lillian Paulsen.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriner Hospitals for Children at www.shrinershospitals.org, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

If you prefer to mail in your donation, please send checks to: Shriners Hospitals, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.