Claude E. Ridens, Jr., 90, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away on Monday, August 17, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Jr. was born on May 19, 1936, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Claude Everett and Emma Fay (Arendale) Ridens.

On November 26, 1955, Jr. married Rose Marie Lima. Together, they shared nearly 60 years of marriage before her passing on January 21, 2015.

Jr. was a longtime member of the Cathedral of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Joseph Council 571 and Fourth-Degree Assembly 569.

Jr. was employed at Meadow Gold for 24 years until the company closed. He later worked at East Hills Mall from 1990 until his retirement in 2018. Additionally, he was the owner and operator of several restaurants, including Steve’s Pizza.

In his free time, Jr. was an avid Kansas City sports fan and especially enjoyed cheering on the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs.

Jr. is survived by his son, Steven (Catherine) Ridens, of St. Joseph; sister, Emma (Ridens) Myers of Kansas; four grandchildren, Corinne (Tom) Flaska, Vanessa (Adam) Hoffman, Kevin Ridens, and Stephanie (Adam) Day; and nine great-grandchildren, Jessica and Alex Hoffman, Jacob and Morgan Ridens, Abigail Dale, and Alexis, Brayden, Bella and Chloe Day.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rosemary Ridens; his parents, Claude Everett and Emma Fay Ridens; and his sisters, Delores Ridens, Dorothy Howard, and Joyce Francis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on, Friday, August 21, 2026, at Cathedral of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m., on Thursday August 20, 2026, at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. The Rosary will be prayed at 5:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Joseph Cathedral School.