Herman L. Ridder, son of Herman and Helen (Drueke) Ridder was born August 15, 1920 on the family farm three miles east of Elgin, NE where he grew up with his eight siblings. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Church, attended country school until 1930 when he became a student at St. Boniface School and graduated in 1939.

On June 14, 1944, Herman was united in marriage to Henrietta Eischeid at St. Boniface Church. The couple made their home in Elgin, NE where they raised their four children: Rick, Jeanne, Joan and Jan. Herman worked, and later managed, Elgin Lumber and Grain for 45 years. On November 30, 1996, he married Ruth (Roberts) Gries. The couple continued to live in Elgin, NE until due to health reasons they entered The Willows in Neligh, NE in January 2006. In March 2006, Herman entered the Wolf Memorial Good Samaritan Center in Albion and Ruth entered a Lincoln care center.

He was a great community supporter and a member of the Elgin Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Antelope County Weed Board, and the Antelope Country Club Board. A member of St. Boniface Parish his entire life, he was active in the Parish Council, Finance Committee, Trustee, counted and recorded Sunday offerings for 10 years, School Board and Knights of Columbus.

Herman enjoyed card club, his family, community and parish activities. He was a league bowler for many years and loved to golf. He loved going for drives, loved people, especially children, and they loved him back.

Herman is survived his son Rick Ridder and wife Cheryl of Hixson, TN; two daughters: Jeanne Knievel and husband John of Elgin, NE; Jan Leehy and husband Bill of Omaha, NE; eight grandchildren: Nolan Walker; Alex and Zach Ridder; Michael, Carrie and Jeff Knievel; Garin and Dana Leehy; six great-grandchildren: Ava, Grace and Nora Knievel; Cecilia Wiedel; Oscar and Jesse Knievel; two sisters: Mary Ann Olsen and Darlene Josten; two step children: Jim Gries and Myla Anderson and their families; along with many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two wives: Henrietta in 1993 and Ruth in 2010; daughter Joni in 1979; three brothers: Joe, Frank and Lawrence Ridder; three sisters: Catherine Arends, Bernadine Fitzwater, and Cecelia Scheyer.