Margy Ann Ridenour's Obituary
Margy Ann (Hylkema) Ridenour passed away on August 20, 2012. She was born April 18th, 1933 in Sioux City, IA to Walter H. & Marie E. (Brink) Hylkema. She is survived by her loving husband, David C. Ridenour and her five children: Bryan (Shelley) Ridenour of Big Rapids, Mary Kay (Mark) MacIver of Big Rapids, Bruce (Carolyn) Ridenour of Danbury, CT, Jennifer (Nick) Yanick of Kent, CT and Matt (Nicole) Ridenour of Ypsilanti, as well as 2 special "adopted" children, Guy VanSyckle of Big Rapids and Jean Ashton, also of Big Rapids. Also surviving are 2 brothers and a sister, George (Ceoli) Hylkema, Balboa Beach, CA, Bennett (Carol) Hylkema of Dearborn and Pauline (Richard) Becker of Danbury, CT. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren: Becky, Andrew, Dillon, David, Evan and Liam; 2 great grandchildren: Allison and Corbin, several nieces and nephews and her lap companion, Percy the cat. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister Florence Antolini of Coalton, WV. Margy grew up in the Big Rapids area, attending Big Rapids High School where she was a member of the Cardinal marching band. After graduating in 1951, she continued her education at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich. On June 18th, 1954, she married David Ridenour. They made their home in the Kalamazoo area for many years, moving to Big Rapids in 1970. In 1972, Margy & Dave opened The Back Room Decorating Center in downtown Big Rapids, where Margy provided decorating advice to the community for over 28 years. Margy served for over 20 years on the Michigan Community Mental Health Board, as well as advising the MOISD building trades program. Her love of gardening was apparent in her extensive perennial & vegetable gardens, where she spent countless hours. Her love for birds was also well known, and she spent many hours watching them at the feeder outside the kitchen window. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and friends canning tomatoes, pears and peaches and making homemade applesauce, jellies and jam. There will be a visitation on Thursday, August 23, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the United Church of Big Rapids and Friday at 9:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be sent to the Progressive Supra-Nuclear Palsy Research Foundation at www.psp.org , Hospice or The United Church of Big Rapids.
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