Ryden, Marie Caroline (nee Andersen)
May 5, 1926 – February 13, 2020
Age 93 of Northfield. Marie Caroline Andersen was born May 5, 1926 in the rural Mora, MN area to Andrew and Elve (Nelson) Andersen. She grew up on a small farm during the Depression years and attended grade school and Sunday School at the one-room school, just down the road. Marie graduated from Mora High School in 1944 and from Northwestern Bible College in 1948, where she studied music and Christian education. Following graduation, she moved to Lincoln, NE and sang in a trio and played piano on Back to the Bible radio broadcast, as well as leading summer Vacation Bible schools. In the early 50s she was employed as secretary to the Dean of Students at Northwestern Schools in Minneapolis. She met Philip Harlan Ryden in 1952, they were married on June 13, 1953 in Minneapolis, then they moved north to Moose Lake, MN, where they raised their daughter and four sons.
Marie was an active member of Barnum United Methodist Church, where she sang and accompanied the choirs. She also participated in neighborhood Bible studies, patiently supported her husband’s and sons’ athletic teams, cared for her mother and mother-in-law during their last years, and was a longtime member of Autumn Voices Choir. Although Marie’s focus was her home and family, she worked one day per week as Phil’s secretary at the Carlton County Courthouse, then worked fulltime there during the empty nest years. She and Phil retired in 1988, and enjoyed the next 20+ years interacting with their children and grandchildren in Minnesota, Michigan, and Alaska. In 2010, they left their Moose Lake home of 50 years and moved to Northfield, MN to be nearer family. Marie lived her last 14 months at The Friendship Home Community in Roseville, where she peacefully passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2020 and entered the presence of her Lord Jesus.
Marie’s legacy will be the way she used her God-given gift of music, especially as a way to deepen and express her faith. She shared her musical skills throughout her life with her children, church family, and community. In her later years she played piano (in any key and with no music) at various venues at her assisted living homes in Northfield and Roseville. She last “tickled the ivories” at a small worship service three weeks before her death. Marie’s song will live on through those whose lives were touched by her humble, godly demeanor and her unique, gentle touch on the piano.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Elve Andersen; her husband, Philip; her brothers, Austin and Marnel Andersen; and her sister, Miriam (Andersen) Insley. She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Ramona (Brad) Henspeter, Timothy (Diane) Ryden, Theodore (Elaine) Ryden, David (Jennifer) Ryden, and Robert (Heather) Ryden, 16 grandchildren: Laura (Mike) Kolasa, Karen and Mark Henspeter, Britte, Kristian, Anders, Maria, Benjamin (Lorena), Peter, Theodore, Lillian, Ruth, Samuel, Andrew, and Grace Ryden and Emmanuel Harinda; one great-grandchild, Elias Kolasa, several nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.
A memorial service was held at 3:00 PM Sunday, February 16th at Life Church in Bloomington, MN. In addition, a gathering to honor Marie will take place in the Moose Lake/Barnum area in early summer.