Obituary of Corrine M. Ridenour
Corrine "Corky"" M. Ridenour (93) resident of St. Maries, ID passed away at Kootenai Health on May 19, 2024. She was born to Orvil and Ada (Baldwin) Roe on August 13, 1930, in Clarkston, WA. Corky grew up on a small farm where the family raised cows, pigs, chickens, and dogs while taking care of their orchard. She attended Clarkston High School where she participated in Glee Club and Book Review and was active in the Church of God. She graduated from Clarkston High School with the class of 1949.
Following high school, Corky married her high school sweetheart James Ray Ridenour. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and she proudly followed him wherever he was stationed. The couple spent time in San Fransisco, where she lived in a Quonset Hut while he was overseas. They then moved to San Diego where they lived on base. After Jim was honorably discharged, the couple moved to Asotin, WA where they both went to work for McPhearson's and Safeway. Told they were not going to be able to be blessed with children, the couple lived a pretty adventurous life. They briefly traveled but spent a lot of time on their boat in the water, or in the mountains snow skiing. Corky found out she was pregnant, and the couple welcomed their son Roeman to the world.
The family moved to a home in the Clarkston heights then to a farmhouse in Dusty, WA, and later moved to two different homes in Palouse, WA. They also moved to two different homes in Nampa, ID, and returned back to Dusty, WA on a farm, where Roeman, their son started kindergarten at Lacrosse, WA. At the beginning of his 7th grade year they moved to Greenacres, WA through beginning of 9th grade year. Then bought a home outside of Deer Park, WA. Most of her adult life from her 30's through her early 50's she taught children's grades Sunday school in many different churches. She really enjoyed that and was very good at it. A lot of children learned of the Lord because of her dedication.
When the small family moved to Deer Park, WA, motherhood was a great fit for Corky as she had it almost perfected as a stay-at- home mother. She was a very loving and doting mother who put her son first, always making sure he had 3 square meals a day. She never missed even one of his basketball or football games. Not one! 3rd grade through 11th grade. There was never a time in Roeman's life that she wasn't there for him. When the time was right to go back to work, Corky worked as a seamstress. In 1986 Jim and Corky's marriage ended in divorce; however, they remained great friends. Corky sold her home in Deer Park and returned to Clarkston to take care of her aging parents. She went to work for Albertson's in both Lewiston and Clarkston. When her parent's died, she wanted to be near her son and grandchildren, so she moved to St. Maries, ID in 2007 where she permanently retired.
In her earlier years, Corky enjoyed cooking and she was fabulous at it. Sunday dinners after church was something her family always looked forward to. Like most women, Corky enjoyed her chocolate and ice cream, they were about the only vice she had ever had, and she was proud of that. In Roeman's travels as a long-haul truck driver, he often found places he wanted to go vacation to or visit. Corky would accompany him on these road trips, and she loved their time together. They were often historical trips with many memories made. Possessing a green thumb and a love for collecting antiques and unique items, Corky's yard was something to be seen. Her neighbors were used to the statues in her yard, but those passing by would have something to talk about with her famous outhouse and roosters, one being over 8'tall. Although she never attended social events aside from church, she enjoyed socializing with her neighbors, and she knew every one of them.
Corky is survived by her son Roeman Ridenour of St. Maries; grandchildren Jared (Biff) Ridenour of Emmett, ID and Levi Ridenour of St. Maries; her great-grandchildren Sophie, Malia, and Emmitt; and her 2 beloved dogs, Cricket and Crumpet. She is preceded in death by her parents and an infant sister,
A memorial service for Corky was held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 2:00 pm at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in St. Maries. A gathering of family and friends followed to share a meal at the John Denny building.
