Memorial
Helen Ridge, age 97, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully Thursday, August 27, 2015 at Cottage Grove Place surrounded by family.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, August 31, 2015 at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel of Memories. Visitation: will be from 5-7 PM Sunday, August 30, 2015 at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Internment will take place at the Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Helen was born March 31, 1918, in Moscow, Iowa, the daughter of Frederick and Blanche (Kline) Kaufmann. She was strong in her faith and was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Marion, participating in many activities including serving as a Shepherd. Helen spread joy through her love of music to many people as a musician, teacher, and composer. She was a long-time volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Helen had many accomplishments through the years including the ABWA Woman of the Year for the State of Iowa, and Volunteer of the Year at Cottage Grove Place.
She is survived by three children: Tom (Julie) Ridge of Marion, Betty Sue (Mike) Archibald, of Norwalk, Iowa, Steve (Rene) Ridge of Springville, Iowa, and step-son Albert (Rochelle) Holcomb of Cedar Rapids. Grandchildren left to cherish Helen’s memory: Brett (Tammy) Ridge, Nicole Ridge, Matthew (Becky) Archibald, Michelle Kopp, Courtney (Brian) Kissinger, Shannon (Andy) Ford, RyAnne Ridge, Shea (Brenna) Ridge, Tom (Amy) Kruse, Kathy (Shaun) Howe, Suzanne (Edi) Debevek, Albert Holcomb, Adam Holcomb and 22 great-grandchildren.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Paul G. Ridge and Dr. Al Holcomb, daughter Sharon Kay, and siblings Lucille Graham, and Robert Kaufmann.
Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, or the Alzheimer’s Association.