Don Ridder

Dr. Don Ridder is the second youngest of twelve children in a faith filled farming family from West Point, Nebraska. Don and each of his seven brothers enjoyed playing all sports with an emphasis in football. Don and his older brother, James, had both received a full scholarship to play football for the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Four days before Don and James were to report to fall camp, James was killed in a car accident and Don was the driver.

Don struggled in school, that is, until he was married to his wife, Brenda. That is when his confidence and purpose in life changed, and he went back to school and received his BA, MA, and Specialist in education and later on received his Ed.D. Don spent most of his career as a principal of Public and Catholic Schools and he loved every minute of it. He has chosen to end his career as an Executive Director of The Heritage Communities at Fox Run Senior Homes where he can continue to focus on leading and serving others.

The best decision Don ever made was to marry Brenda. Brenda and Don are both blessed to come from large, loving, caring and Catholic families. Don and his wife Brenda, have three married children and six grandchildren. Their oldest, Kristina is married to Josh and they have three children; Olivia, Henry and William. Their middle child, Jake is married to Katlin and they have three children; (twins) Avery and Colton, and Grace. Our third and most outgoing child, Bridget is married to Jimmy.