Flora Arlene Ridenhour

The youngest of five children, Flora Arlene (Jorgenson) Ridenhour was born with her twin sister, Phyllis, on January 20, 1925, in Okaton, SD to Jubal and Delia Jorgenson. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Clara Foster and Doris Hendershot, brother Thomas, her husband of 67 years, Jack, and their son Derek. She is survived by son Mark (Chandra), daughter Nina (Charlie), four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Flora and Phyllis became instant celebrities when they were born in the Milwaukee/St. Paul/Northern Pacific train terminal. Father Jubal worked as a ticket agent for the railroad. In 1928 the family moved to their new home in the Dewey Valley of Whatcom County. Flora and Phyllis’s formal education began at Harmony Primary School, followed by Meridian Jr./Sr. High School. Due to a change in school district boundaries, the twins transferred to Bellingham High School in their senior year, where they graduated in 1943. It was their love of music that helped them make new friends. For years the sisters sang together, sometimes on local radio, and in high school musicals. During her senior year of high school Flora met her future husband, Jack. Their marriage was delayed to July 2, 1949 due to Jack’s service during WWII. The newlyweds began life together at Belvedere Apartments, then moved to their home on Whatcom Street, where they lived until 2015. Flora walked to her job as a secretary for State Farm Insurance until a new life chapter began with the births of their children. Flora was a devoted stay-at-home mother who employed life skills learned during the depression. She was well known for her oatmeal cake, a family favorite, and sewing. As an accomplished seamstress, it was not uncommon to find the latest dress or blouse in progress when you visited their home. Nina’s skating competitions, and later their square and round dancing, also kept her machine humming sewing costumes. She and Jack enjoyed dancing locally as members of the Western Squares and in Arizona. For many years Flora volunteered as a “Pink Lady” at St. Luke’s Hospital, where she brightened patient’s days. Despite many personal hardships in the last few years, she was never one to complain. When asked, her standard response was, “I’ll be fine.” Now in the loving arms of the Lord, we know she is Flora’s family wish to thank both Whatcom Hospice and Brookdale Bellingham for their kindness and support. A memorial will be held on Saturday, June 3rd at 1:00pm at Moles Greenacres (5700 NW Dr. Ferndale). A Celebration of Life will be held following the service at the family residence.

Flora Arlene Ridenhour

January 20, 1925 - May 7, 2017