Allen Lee Ridenour, age 70, of Miles City, Montana passed away on September 27, 2021 surrounded by his family.
Allen was born on June 30, 1951 to Allen Ellsworth and Joann Lee (Allen) Ridenour. He was the second oldest of four children. He was raised with a very strong work ethic. His first job was delivering newspapers at the age of 12 right here in Miles City. He then found his real talent at the Airport Inn. He learned that he loved visiting and connecting as he worked and served. Allen’s schooling was all accomplished in Miles City, graduating from Custer County High School in 1970. Allen married his love, Rachel June Jones, on July 5, 1970 just after his senior year. The two started life young but in love and created a family with three wonderful children. He loved his children and loved being involved with their sports which included basketball, baseball, football, cheerleading, track, gymnastics, dance, and wrestling. It didn’t matter what, he was there as coach, dad and biggest fan. Allen tried his hand at many different trades including a butcher, insurance sales, motel manager, oilfield worked and eventually settled back into the restaurant business., starting with the Laseasta RV Park and then the Go Go Espresso. From there, he and Rachel expanded their adventure and bought the Arrowleaf Ice Cream Parlor and built cabins near the Go Go. Allen and Rachel were blessed with six grandchildren. He was just as involved in their lives as his own children. When his youngest boy left West Yellowstone to come to Miles City they decided to follow and come back where it all started. In 2015, Allen started working at the Main Street Grind as the coffee guru. He soon earned the title of Mr. Coffee and wore it proudly to this day! If you needed to start your day out good you stopped in to see Mr. Coffee. He always had a smile and your order ready. Sometimes if you were lucky he would send you off with a good and sometimes inappropriate joke. No matter how he was feeling that day, he always looked forward to greeting those who walked through the doors. Allen was proud to be a member of the NRA and was a even more proud Patriot to his country. He loved crossword puzzles, jokes, a good game of cards, football, bothering Rachel and his children and grandchildren.
Allen is survived by his wife Rachel Ridenour of Miles City, MT; a brother Kenneth (Lisa) Ridenour of Miles City, MT; his oldest son LeAllen (Jennifer Kransky, bonus grandchildren Loren & Logan) Ridenour of Miles City, MT; his favorite daughter Shannon (Josh) Rohloff of Billings, MT; and Chad Allen (Jamilee) Ridenour of Miles City, MT; six grandchildren: his favorite granddaughter Chalee Marie Ridenour (16), Payton Allen Ridenour (14), Jerald “J.J.” James Ridenour (11), Daxton Jones Ridenour (7), Owen Uless Ridenour (5) and Toby Fraizer Ridenour (2), aunts: Carol Allen and MaryAnn Malnar and numerous cousins. Allen was preceded in death by both his parents, his older sisters: Barbara Jo White and Christine Dillabough and a brother-in-law Edgar Kenneth Jones.
We love you Papa. Thank you to everyone for your kind words and the love you have shown our family.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with Family Receiving Friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday October 5, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday October 5, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday October 5, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday October 5, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Dolores Meidinger Willson says
I am truly sorry for your loss. Allen “Mr. Coffee” will be very missed by all those that enjoyed his jovial presence at the Main Street Grind or wherever you ran into him. May you all be comforted by all the love and care of many.
Garth Sleight says
Ridenour families, I am so sorry to see this terrible blow to all of you. Allen always struck me as a really good guy. My sincerest condolence go to all of you as you process through yet another very difficult loss.
Ginger Ridenour Bird says
Rachel and family and Kenny and family–Love and comfort to you all at this terrible and difficult time from your Broadus Family. Treasure all your memories and keep them close to your hearts.
Jim and Annalise Willson says
We are so sorry to hear about Allen. Allen was such a great person. we first met Allen when we were involved in the AAU Wrestling program. Jim and Ann could always depend on Allen for helping Jim Coach for several years. He was just an awesome guy to know and work with. We will definitely miss him at the Main Grind. Rest in peace dear friend.
Jim and Annalise Willson
TRACEY RIDENOUR GORDER says
Rachel and family and Kenny and family – much love from your Ridenour family in Broadus. Your memories of “Bud” will be such a comfort at this time. I remember not knowing Allen was his given name until I was an adult. He was always “Bud” to us little cousins. My sincerest condolences. Tracey Ridenour Gorder
John Munsell says
Allen and I worked together for several years at the plant. He was a dependable and hard working man, my loss when he moved away. Plus he was, simply put, a real nice guy.
Janet Dinardi says
My heart is so sad for all the family. Allen was a great guy. I am sure he and David are raising all kinds of cane up in heaven. He will be so missed. My prayers and love to you all.
MARTHA CRANDALL says
my sympathy
Maureen Larson says
Dear Ridenour Family ~ My sincerest sympathies go out to all of you during this difficult time. I have known Allen since our high school days and he was always a very nice man and always had a big smile when you saw him. I know he will be greatly missed but his memory will live on through each and every one of you. Praying for you.
Susan Sanderson says
Rachel and Family,
I am so sorry to see of Allen’s passing. Allen was such a nice guy to everyone. Please accept my sincerest sympathies and my prayers for you all as, you deal with this sad time. May your memories be many, and your
tears be few.
Kolleen Waldo Forsyth says
Rachel & family. So sad to hear of Allen’s passing. The Class of 1970 has lost too many great people. 😔 Remembering Allen from our high school years working together at the Airport Inn. Fond memories, also, of the early married life and arrival of children that you two shared with Butch and I. My heart breaks for you, Rachel. Hugs.
Kathy Barnes says
All of Allens family,
Allen was such a fun person to be around. He truly enjoyed what he was doing. I loved bringing my granddaughters into the Grind. His interaction with children was so fun to watch. He truly loved children. To you Rachel, first the loss of your brother and now this is just enormous grief. Know that you are surrounded by love and prayers. Allen, you are so loved by so many, will be missed and never forgotten.
Tammy Mallett Pecha says
So sorry for your loss your in my thoughts and prayers.
Gary Tyler says
Sorry for your loss..Allen was a go getter..I went to school with Allen ,I am remember at Roosevelt school a midday summer storm came through and blew over the portable baseball back stop the storm passed just in time for recess..Allen and I loved to play ball so we decided to upright the back stop, teacher’s orders were to whate for the janitor..We did not we had to play baseball , Allen ended up under it with a broken leg…I asked him if it hurt when he got back to school , He said yes every day he couldn’t P L A Y B A L L
Tom Lillian Ostendorf says
This news makes us very sad. Please know Rachel and all the family have been in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss those conversations at the grind with “Mr Coffee” .
Tom and Lillian
Charlene DeWitt says
I’m so sad to lose such a wonderful brother-in-law! Allen was so easy to love..always smiling and kind hearted with a little side of tease! (or a lot sometimes :)) You couldn’t find a more devoted person when it comes to his family and friends. Allen will be greatly missed! Love and hugs!!
Julie and Butch Krutzfeldt says
Please accept our sincere sympathy in the loss of your loved one. We both enjoyed getting to know Allen. He was always so upbeat and friendly. He will be missed by all in our community. Love to all of you.
Tim and Tracy says
Rachel and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Allen’s passing. We hold you all in our thoughts and prayers. RIP Allen!
Heidi says
I’m shocked and sad to read this!!!!! Loved my visits with Allen (and Rachael) at Go Go. Love to you Shannon and family. Heidi Hauck
Noelle & Tim Daley says
Allen was a light in every day we knew him, kind but strong, with a humanity that resonated. At the Gusher, he held the place together in the most frantic hours and always made customers feel cared for. He did the same for his friends. We will always remember dancing at Chad’s wedding with him, eating a pile of frosting on his birthday, late night card games, waffle cones, and all the times he made us laugh. We are still so shocked by this latest Covid loss — if anyone could be expected to make it, he was. Love to you, Rachel and family.