Rainer “RJ” John Bidinger Age 96, of Rice Lake, WI passed into eternal life Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at his home.

He was born on July 1, 1922 in Waite Park, MN to Clarence and Frances (Meyer) Bidinger. RJ graduated from High School in Morton, MN and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942 and served in WWII serving in the South Pacific and was on the ships USS Sperry and USS Griffin and was Honorably Discharged in 1948. RJ went to Horology School in Peoria, Illinois where he met his future wife, Dorothy Dodd Maynard and they were married on June 1, 1951 in Illinois. RJ owned his own carpentry business, and he and Doddie built their family and home, (literally) in Hampshire, Illinois. He was a lifetime member of the Hampshire American Legion #680, president of the park board and village trustee in Hampshire for numerous years and was a member of the Rice Lake VFW.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doddie Bidinger of Rice Lake; 4 children, John (Jeanette) Bidinger of Rice Lake, Frank Bidinger of California, Mary Bidinger-Quillen of Rice Lake, Carol (Brian) Golding of Illinois; 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and several close friends He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Frances Bidinger; son-in-law, Robert Earl Quillen; a daughter-in-law, Jane Gretchen Bidinger; siblings, Severin “Si”, Elaine, Urban “Urbie”, LaVine and Donald “Jody”.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30AM Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Dobie, WI, Father Ed Anderson officiating, with interment in the Northern WI Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI where Military Rites will be accorded him by the Rice Lake Veteran Honor Guard. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the Funeral Service at the Church on Saturday, March 9, 2019.

Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in RJ’s name to a charity of your choice.

Last Update: Mar 03, 2019 11:47 am CST