Ella Mae Kuepker (Ridge), 93, went home to be with her Lord on Feb. 9, 2023. She loved to call Tomahawk, Wis., home.
She grew up in Aurora, Ill., and survived Clifford Kuepker, to whom she was married for over 40 years, and Eugene S. Ridge Sr., with whom she had three children who she is survived by: Eugene Ridge Jr. of Westmont Ill., Diane Jones of DeForest, Wis., and Cynthia Ridge of Rhinelander, Wis.: eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Ella Mae was passionate about cosmetology and “doing hair.” She loved her work and was an expert! Most of her career she ran her own business called the Cut-n-Curl salon. Because family was so important to her she had a home based salon for most of the more than 40 years she practiced.
Her greatest love was sharing the Gospel of Jesus with everyone she encountered. She was active in her church and whether through church or on her own she always looked for opportunities to help others. You would never see her without a smile and a kind and encouraging word to share. She was a light to those struggling in darkness and a humble example of what it is to be a follower of Jesus. She never got caught up in religious piety but rather chose to meet people where they were and love them. She also enjoyed baking (to the delight of all around her) and in later years became warmly known as the “pie lady.”
Ella loved life and lived it to the fullest, loved Jesus and showed it, and loved her family and sacrificed for them. She will be greatly missed.
Ella’s services were held Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 at Dieterle Memorial Home in Montgomery, Ill., with a graveside service at Lincoln Memorial Park in Aurora, Ill. For her guestbook, visit www.dieterlememorialhome.com. 630-897-1196.