Melvin Henrich Theodor Edward Richter (1923-2012)

RICHTER, AHLES, RIEDEMANN, HANSEN, JACOBSON, SMITH, BENNER

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 8/10/2021 at 22:38:53

Funeral services for Melvin H. Richter, 89, of Hartley, Iowa, formerly of Primghar, Iowa, who passed away on Sunday, October 7, 2012 at Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley were held on Thursday, October 11, 2012 at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Hartley with Rev. David Erickson officiating. Graveside services were held at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Primghar. Military graveside services by Russel West Post of the American Legion, Paullina, Iowa, Chateau-Thierry Post of the American Legion, Primghar, IA., Sheldon V.F.W. Bunker-Peterson Post 7354, and the American Legion Mcglothlen-Cowie Post #145, Sheldon, Iowa. The Eldridge Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Melvin Henrich Theodor Edwin Richter, the son of Paul and Mary (Ahles) Richter, was born on July 12, 1923 in Granville, Iowa. He was baptized on July 22, 1928, and confirmed on April 10, 1938 at Saint John Lutheran Church in Germantown. He attended Saint John Lutheran School in Germantown.

In March of 1944, he was inducted into the Army and served in the Battle of the Bulge under the leadership of General Patton. During the battle, Melvine suffered injuries. In May of 1946 he received a medical discharge.

On June 27, 1948, Melvin was united in marriage to Delores Riedemann at Saint John Lutheran Church in Germantown. To this union four children were born: Richard, Rita, Linda, and Paul. After their marriage, they lived in Spencer, Iowa, where Melvin delivered Nesbitt's pop in a large area. In 1951, they returned to O'Brien County where they started farming. One June 27, 1968, they purchased their farm seven miles south of Hartley. Melvin also worked for a Spencer packing plant for fourteen years while farming. Melvin retired in 1994, and the couple moved to Primghar until Melvin's health began to decline.

Melvin entered Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley on February 15, 2011, where he passed away on Sunday, October 7, 2012, reaching the age of 89 years, 2 months and 25 days.

He was a member of Saint Paul's Lutheran Church. He enjoyed tending to his large garden, going to farmers' market, camping, cooking, and winterin in Arizona. The couple enjoyed working at the Clay County Fair in Spencer for ten years. They enjoyed travel, as they toured Europe in 1988, and in 2005 went on the Veterans' tour of Washington, D.C.

Melvin is survived by Delores, his wife of sixty-four years; three children: Richard and his wife, Carmen Richter of Cherokee, Iowa; Rita and her husband, Tim Jacobson of Sioux City, Iowa; and Linda and her husband, Russ Smith, of Hibbing, Minnesota; three grandchildren [redacted]; five great grandchildren [redacted]; two sisters: Helen Hansen of Evansdale, Iowa, and Delores Benner of Henderson, Nevada, also other relatives and friends.

Melvin is preceded in death by a son, Paul, in infancy; three brothers: Luverne, Lawrence, and Leonard Richter; and his parents.

O'Brien County (Iowa) Bell, 18 Oct 2012, p4