Annie Ridl, 79, Dickinson, died on December 19, 2025 surrounded by family. Annie’s Celebration of Life Service will be held 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Heart River Retreat, Dickinson.
Annie, originally named Helen Ann was born April 9, 1946 to Louise (Bahm) and Edwin Hamm in Elyria, Ohio. She grew up with two older brothers creating fun and memories. Annie was set on a new path when her dad passed during her senior year of high school.
She came to North Dakota to stay with family and to attend college at Dickinson State College. At DSC, she earned her Degree in Teaching and Physical Education and met the man who worked with her to make all of her dreams come true—Norm Ridl. They married August 30, 1965 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson. They built a home and family in Dickinson that included four daughters, Jody, Jackie, Jayne, and Jessie. They added to the family with adopted siblings, Tanya and Nathan and many other fosters who loved to call her mom.
Besides being “Mom”, Annie, was a teacher, coach, vet tech, and owner of Paw & Claw Pet Palace and a lover of horses.
Among her many accomplishments, she was a 4H Leader for over 25 years, a member of a Dickinson Softball Team that went to Nationals as well as spending MANY weekends on softball fields throughout the state, and owner of the local pet store that is still in the family today. She was ALWAYS doing something to stay busy.
Annie is survived by her children, Jody (Todd) Heck, Dickinson, Jackie (Russ) Jandt, Helena, MT, Jayne (Travis) Ketterling, Dickinson, Jessie (Ben) Lemieux, Dickinson, and Jim (Sabra) Wright, Yuma, AZ; grandchildren, Tylee (Mike) Mann, Dickinson, McKinley Lemieux, Dickinson, and Lola Ketterling, Dickinson; great-grandchildren, Murphie Mann and Callum Mann; one brother; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family, friends, and MANY foster children that she LOVED and are still part of her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Norm, October 10, 1998; her parents; brother, Charles Hamm; and adopted son, Nathan Ridl.
