Connie Jo Ridder

Connie Jo Ridder, 82, of Burlington, Colorado, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home on the evening of June 1, 2026. Her Catholic faith was very important to her and brought her great comfort throughout her life.

Connie was born on March 13, 1944, in Benkelman, Nebraska, to Fay and Alberta Stevens. She was the youngest of six children, with four older brothers and one older sister. After her father passed away, she dropped out of high school at age 15 to help support her mother and worked several jobs at local businesses as a teenager.

Connie married Dale Ridder on August 8, 1964. She was a devoted member of St. Catherine’s parish. Together they raised three sons — Kenneth, Kurt, and Kevin — and she was later blessed with eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Family was always her number one priority and her greatest joy. She took great pride in watching her children and grandchildren grow up. She was a fierce protector of those she loved. In her early adult years she devoted herself to raising her children, serving as the family’s resident chef, chauffeur, gardener, doctor, and nurse while running a well-ordered and loving home.

As a child she loved swimming and riding horses bareback, and she once dreamed of owning a buckskin horse she planned to name Cactus. Later in life she found great pleasure in crocheting, reading — especially 19th-century Old West history — spending time with her German Shepherds, and keeping informed on her iPad. She also had untapped artistic talent in oil painting and drawing. She kept a watchful eye on the weather. In her final year she enjoyed playing card games with her caregivers and watching Kevin Costner movies, but most of all she cherished time with her children and grandchildren.

Connie is survived by her husband, Dale; her sons Kenneth (Chris), Kurt (Jamie), and Kevin (Alicia); her grandchildren Tyler, Brandon, Ashley, Brooke, Cassidy, Cody, Alexa, and Kayden; and her great-grandchildren Brinley, Asa, Weston, Prince, Camilla, Armani, Magnolia, and Demi, with two more on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fay and Alberta Stevens, and her siblings, Virgil, Norman, Dean, Dallas, and Sharon.

She lived a life of love, laughter, and devoted service to her family and will be dearly missed.

Memorial contributions may be made out to the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.