Patricia Diane Ridgeway

Patricia Diane Ridgeway, age 61, died on Sunday, April 5, 2026, while at home, due to complications from health issues.  She was born on March 17, 1965, in Salem, Missouri.  She was the youngest daughter of David and Marina (Margetts) Ridgeway.  While growing up she and her family lived in Missouri, New Mexico, and then Minnesota where she graduated from Hibbing High School in 1983 and went on to attend Hibbing Community College.  Since she was born on St.Patrick's Day our parents named her Patricia, but they preferred to call her by her middle name, Diane.

Diane was always known for her outgoing, assertive personality, where she was never one to back away from a challenge, or simply as kids in the neighborhood might put it, "Don't mess with Diane."  In high school she was very involved in the band, playing the clarinet, and was excited to participate in the Pasedena Tournament of Roses Parade in 1981, which Hibbing High School was invited to.  Diane also enjoyed riding horses, where she competed in a few rodeos.  She got into body building after high school and participated in womens' bench press competitions throughout Minnesota, winning some trophies while doing that.

Diane worked at Sammy's Pizza and then moved south for a few years, where she worked for the Winne Dixie grocery chain.  In 1988, while living in North Carolina with her sister, her car  was negligently struck by a semi truck and she received a head injury.  After some time spent in the hospital and then receiving therapy, she moved back home to Minnesota and lived with her parents until they passed away in the 2010's.  This had a significant impact on her path in life, but to her credit she continued, true to her character, to assert herself and press forward in life.  

Diane is survived by her siblings: Bryan Ridgeway of Hibbing, and Beverly (Derrik) Clay of San Antonio, TX; nephews: Gabriel Ridgeway, Grant Ridgeway, Sam Clay, and Walker Clay and niece: Courtney Clay Nesbitt, and numerous extended family members.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother: David Conrad Ridgeway: and sister-in-law: Renee (Bryan) Ridgeway.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 28th from 10-11:00, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Anderson-Daniels Funeral Home Chaple; Greg Anderson will be the Celebrant.  Inurnment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the American Lung Association at (651) 227-8014.

Family services are provided by Anderson-Daniels, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Hibbing.  To express condolences on-line please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.