Shirley Ridgway

Shirley Joan Ridgway, died July 10th, 2021.  A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 24th, at Harvestime Ministries, located at Ninth and Walnut Street, in Rawlins, Wyoming.

Shirley was the daughter of Katherine and Alex Morland.  She was born January 25th, 1931 and spent her growing up years on a farm outside of Olathe, Colorado.

She met and married Elmer Ridgway Sr. of Montrose, Colorado and together they would have three children, Elmer Ridgway Jr., Robert Ridgway (died at birth), and Susan Ridgway.  An elderly Christian lady, in Ouray, Colorado led both her and Elmer to a born-again experience with Jesus.  Neither her nor Elmer realized that God was calling them to be pioneer pastors, and starting churches from the ground up.

Churches that the Ridgway’s pioneered and pastored included:

*In 1952, Shirley and Elmer moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, and started a storefront church in Bingham Canyon, Utah; Bingham is no longer a town as this is now Kennecott Copper Mines.

*In Vernal, Utah, they pioneered a storefront Assembly of God Church; they later purchased property and built at the new location.

*In Jerome, Idaho, they pastored an Assembly of God Church for five years, where Elmer also served as a sectional presbyter.

*In Garden Grove, California they served at an Assembly of God Church, where her husband Elmer was a associate pastor for 2 years.

*In Yucca Valley, California they pastored an Assembly of God Church and built a new facility with pre-school and a Christian Academy.

*In Joshua Tree, California they built from the ground up and pastored Lighthouse Christian Center.

Afterward they traveled with the Assemblies of God in its MAPS RVers volunteer program for 8 years.  They worked on Bible Schools, Church Camps, and churches across the country.  In the early 90’s they moved to Rawlins, Wyoming where they were involved in the formation of Harvestime Ministries and the creation of a prison ministry at the Wyoming State Penitentiary.  Ultimately, Shirley and Elmer would celebrate 50 years of ministry together.

Shirley loved music and played both the piano and organ.  She wrote poetry, did cross-stitching, and both camped and rode 4-wheelers.  Her favorite was discovering great places to eat.  She was a great homemaker and cook.

She is survived by her son Elmer Ridgway Jr. and his wife Robyn, and daughter Susan Klein (all of Rawlins, Wyoming).  She has 7 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 9 great-great grandchildren.

Internment is to be held the 30th of July at 2:00 p.m. at the Grandview Cemetery in Montrose, Colorado where she will be buried next to her husband Elmer Lavon Ridgway Sr.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Harvestime Ministries, P.O. Box 2084, Rawlins, Wyoming 82301.