Darrell Lee Ryden

Darrell Lee Ryden passed away at the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland Colorado on March 28, 2014. He was 80. Darrell was born January 5, 1934 in a small farmhouse outside of Wray, Colorado to Charles August Ryden and Signe Emma Anderson Ryden. He was the youngest of six children. Darrell worked for Public Service of Colorado where he was a line foreman and then became a dispatcher until he retired in 1995. Darrell was a member of Henderson Congregational Church where over the years he served as a youth leader, church deacon, church board member and enjoyed the numerous events the church held over the years. He was a member of the Brighton Masonic Lodge #78 and was Master of the Lodge. He was also a member of Lorraine Chapter No. 52, Order of Eastern Star where he served as Worthy Patron and later as the Worthy Grand Patron for the State of Colorado. Darrell also belonged to the El Jebel Shrine. Darrel had many passions throughout his years. Early in his life he enjoyed basketball and table tennis, passions he passed onto his children. Darrell was an avid car mechanic that he shared with his son. He also loved to fish and hunt, and he spent hours in his shop doing woodworking and carpentry. Darrell had many German Shorthair retrievers in his life that were part of his and Claudene's family. Darrell also loved to travel with his family. Summers were spent in the mountains fishing and sightseeing. Darrell also enjoyed being a chaperone for high school band trips with his wife and children. Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Carl August, Ernest Herman, Orville Raynold, his sisters, Ila Francis and Dorothy Irene Shively, and grandson, Grant Richards. He is survived by his wife, Claudene of Windsor, CO; son, Randy Nancy, and grandson, Christopher Lee of Fort Collins, CO; step-grandson, Billy Erin Richard, and great-grandchildren, Felix and Delilah of Colorado Springs, CO; daughter, Shelly Rick Richards, granddaughters, Alix and Korbin of Overland Park, KS; nieces, Janet John Woodward of Manitou Springs, CO; Sharon Bob Cope of Colorado Springs, CO; Carolyn Alex of Carmel CA and many other family members and friends. A memorial service will be held at the Henderson Community Church, 12001 Oakland Street, Henderson, CO 80640 on Friday at 2:00 p.m. Darrell will be interred at the Olive Hill Cemetery in Jewell County, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Henderson Community Church in memory of Darrell Ryden. Donations may be mailed to the church at PO Box 10, Henderson, CO 80640.