Lawrence Edwin Riedesel

Larry passed away peacefully at home on August 25th, 2024. He was born at Ames, Iowa November 27th, 1930 to (Paul) Gerhard and Edna Pember Riedesel while his dad was finishing his engineering course at Iowa State College. After graduating, the family moved to the Twin Falls, Idaho area. In 1940 they moved to Moscow, Idaho. Here Larry met his future wife, Ruth Dimond, in the 4th grade. They continued in school together, graduating from Moscow High and the University of Idaho. He earned a degree in civil engineering and a commission in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps. He and Ruth were married on graduation day June 6th, 1953. They traveled to California for his first duty with the Navy. Son Richard joined the family during this time. Larry spent a tour of duty at the Oakland Naval Supply Center and a second tour at the Guam Area Public Works Office. After finishing his obligation with the Navy, he joined the Chelan County Engineers in Wenatchee Washington. Daughter Janet joined the family in 1957. In 1963 the family moved to Longview where Larry became a Cowlitz County Engineer. He held a variety of engineering positions during the twenty years with the county and was involved with restoration work after the Mt. St. Helens’ eruption. 

 After retirement he wrote an extensive family history. He and his dad kept a journal of family activities covering over 110 years. He built several homes and additions for family members. He had over 50 year memberships in the Kelso Presbyterian Church, The Kelso Rotary Club and the Cowlitz Historical Society. Larry enjoyed his family, music, photography, and playing cards. He had the gifts of serving and hospitality, often opening their home to people for several months at a time. He always had an extra car to loan out. He maintained friendships and organized four of his high school reunions and edited the reunion books.

 Proceeding him in death were his parents and his wife, Ruth. They were married 61 years and lived in the same Longview home for 51 years. The home was sold to granddaughter Laura and her husband Reuben shortly before Ruth died. Larry continued to live in the 1968 addition to the home until 2022 when he moved in with daughter Jan and her husband Chris. 

 Survivors include brother, Dale Riedesel, son Rich & Bev Riedesel (Port Orchard), daughter Jan and Chris Ferguson (Longview), Granddaughter Gloria and Gene Devin (Port Orchard), Grandson Jonathan and Tonia Ferguson & their children Nyx, Lynn and Hope, granddaughter Laura and Reuben Powers & their children Marcus, Zoe and Jenna, granddaughter Deborah Riedesel (Oakland, CA and Longview), granddaughter Teresa Ferguson, Longview, nephew Jeff and Ann Riedesel, niece Karen and Steve Bode, nephews Howard and Noni Morrison, Charles and Penny Morrison, and Bruce Morrison. A memorial service will be held at Steele Chapel, Longview, Washington on Sunday 9/22/24 at 2:30. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to the Kelso Rotary or Longview Community Church.