1959
John
2015
John Richter
June 27, 1959 — September 24, 2015
John Robert Richter, age 56, long-time resident of rural Vergas, passed away peacefully, September 24, 2015, at his home, under the care of Red River Valley Hospice, surrounded by his family. Funeral services for John will be held 11 a.m., Thursday, October 1, 2015, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Loon Lake, Vergas. Burial will take place at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, September 30, 2015, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Loon Lake with a prayer service to take place at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.
John Robert Richter was born on June 27, 1959 to Rodney and Marjorie (Wendt) Richter in Perham, MN. His baptism was on July 19, 1959 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church by Pastor George Grabarkewitz, he was confirmed at this church on April 29, 1973 by Pastor Frank Sass. His confirmation verse was I Corinthians 6:20. John grew up on the family dairy farm in rural Vergas, MN and graduated from Perham High School. He attended college until he felt God led him to work in the mission field. John married Vicki Kuhlman on April 20, 1985, until her death in 1989. They had a daughter, Mary Ann Richter. He moved to El Paso, TX and married Linda (Skipper) Richter on February 17, 1991 at The Door Christian Church. Linda adopted Mary Ann when she was about 3½ years old. He gained a step son in that marriage, named Lowell Stevenson. As a family, the Richter’s were very involved in ministry and John taught a Bible Study, was involved in outreach ministries, played the bass guitar in a Christian band and was part of the Church drama team with Linda and Mary Ann. They lived in El Paso until John developed the desire to return to Minnesota and take up dairy farming that was once operated by his father Rodney, near Vergas, MN. John’s parents were very gracious and allowed them to move a mobile home onto their property and he started buying calves to begin his dairy business. He loved working on the farm and in the fields and enjoyed a special and supportive relationship, with his father, Rodney. John loved to garden as well, and his mother Marjorie and he shared this hobby until his parents moved back into the original home, where his father grew up. Eventually John realized that farming didn’t support his family to his liking and finally gained employment at West Central Turkey plant, in Pelican Rapids, MN. He worked for West Central as a line supervisor for 10 plus years and met many wonderful people. He led an adult Bible study at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for five years and even preached sermons there, on occasion. He also joined the Active Christian Teen’s on mission a trip to Yselta Lutheran Mission in El Paso, TX for five trips using his Spanish skills to further the ministry in Juarez, Mexico. John joined Mike Kratzke for jail and prison ministry for many years and his life’s ambition was to reflect the saving grace of his Savior Jesus Christ. He actively directed his family every day to work and mirror Christ’s love for others. He was diagnosed with cancer in ’13, but expressed to his wife Linda, that he desired to continue the work that the Lord had selected him for. We pray that the Lord’s bidding will open doors to bring many others to the salvation of our Lord’s saving grace.
John is survived by his wife, Linda, his daughter Mary Ann and his step-son Lowell Stevenson. Granddaughters, Krystal and Amanda Stevenson and his great grandson, Ziggy Lopez. He is also survived by his father Rodney, his mother Marjorie, his brothers and their spouses, Dave and Julie Richter, Paul and Linda Richter and his sisters and their spouses, Meribeth and Mike Tieden and Gini and Paul Thon. Also, eight nephews, seven nieces and twelve great nephews and nieces. John was preceded in death, by his first wife Vicki (Kuhlman) Richter and their baby daughter, Belinda Richter.
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