Nell Ryder, 93, of Burien, passed away on June 13, 2007. Nell was born in Lisbon, N.D. on June 16, 1913, to Knute and Julianna Ringdahl. She graduated from Lisbon High School and Morehead State Teachers College in Minnesota.

She raised her children in Spring Lake Park, Minn. In 1961 she remarried and moved to Burien, bringing together two families. The focus of her life was this large family. She was a loving wife and mother, devoted grandmother and doting great-grandmother. Nell loved traveling, gardening and was an avid bridge player. She was a lifetime Lutheran and an associate member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Los Alamos, N.M.

Nell was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Ryder, her parents and her brother Oscar Ringdahl.

She is survived by her sister Dora Mae Ryder of Winlock, Wash., and brother John Ringdahl of Kent; children Dennis Erickson (Mary Lou) of Los Alamos, N.M., Douglas Erickson (Virginia) of Burien, Julie Terry (Michael) of Monroe, and Richard Erickson (Cynthia) of Maple Valley; stepchildren Donald Ryder (Lois) of Olympia, Lorelei Anderson of Auburn, Virginia Magneson (James) of Silverdale, and Thomas Ryder of Seattle; and special friends Norman and Blanche Lee of Golden Valley, Minn. Nell will be missed by 23 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Her memorial service was June 16 at Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood. Memorials can be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Los Alamos, NM 87544-1697 or the charity of choice.