Margaret Ann Ridinger

Margaret Ann Ridinger 

July 21, 1959 – September 9, 2025 

Margaret Ann Ridinger, age 66, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2025, in Forsyth, Missouri. Born on July 21, 1959, in Branson, she was a lifelong resident of Protem—a place she loved deeply and served with quiet devotion. 

Raised on the family farm, Margaret was her father Roland’s steadfast right hand, from feeding calves at dawn in a foot of snow to hauling hay under the summer sun. Though she never took to cooking, she inherited her mother Ruth’s gift for handicrafts. Ruth taught her to sew, quilt, and crochet, and Margaret carried those traditions forward with her own hands and heart. She taught herself to brush and spin raw wool and angora fiber into yarn, and soon after, to weave—She always had a project going. Margaret worked for 33 years at Ozarks Underground Laboratory, where her dedication and integrity left a lasting mark. Upon retirement, she turned her full attention to caring for her aging parents, embodying the same quiet strength and loyalty she had shown all her life. 

She was a beloved member of the Protem Community Church, where she served faithfully for many years, offering her time, talents, and spirit wherever they were needed. Her love for animals was deep and enduring—She always had a dog and she really loved her dogs but her true heart always belonged to her cat’s. 

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Roland Roy and Ruthy Ray (Chapman) Ridinger, and her brother Jerry. She is survived by many cousins and cherished friends, all of whom will remember her for her generosity, her craftsmanship, and the gentle strength with which she moved through the world. 

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 13, at the Protem Community Church. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m., followed by the service at 3:00 p.m. Burial will take place at Wolf Cemetery in Protem, Missouri, under the direction of Snapp-Bearden Forsyth Chapel. 

May the threads she spun continue to warm the hearts of those she loved. 

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