Ruth J. Richter, age 96, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 23, 2021, at her daughter’s home in West Lafayette, Indiana, where she had lived for the past 2 years.
Ruth was born December 18, 1924 on a farm in Fairfield Township, Indiana to Guy and Wanda (Blech) Orwig. She attended Fairfield Center School, graduated from Ashley High School, and received her Secretarial Certification from Tri State College. She married Walter J. Richter on June 27, 1944 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Waterloo, Indiana. He preceded her in death on December 8, 2006.
Ruth was a homemaker, and she and Walter raised six children on the Richter Family farm near Ashley, Indiana. She was a great cook, farm wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She thoroughly enjoyed gatherings with her family throughout the years as the family grew and spread out. Ruth loved to play cards and usually won! She began quilting after her family was raised and made quilts for each family and every grandchild when they graduated from high school. She was an avid reader and could finish a book in a day.
Ruth was a parishioner of St. Michael’s Catholic Church for more than 75 years, where she participated in the Rosary Society, Harvest House, and the Ladies Quilting Group. She was also a founding member of the Never Idle Homemaker’s Club.
She is survived by her sons Dr. Ronald (Colleen) Richter of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Francis Richter of Leo, Indiana; Dr. Lawrence (Ellen) Richter of Lake City, Florida; James (Gerri) Richter of Downingtown, Pennsylvania; David (Sue) Richter of Columbus, Indiana; and daughter Jeanette ( Peter) Goldsbrough of West Lafayette, Indiana. She was preceded in death by daughter-in-law Judy Richter, wife of Francis.
Ruth had 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her brother Wayne (Jean) Orwig of Marion, Iowa and brother-in-law Don Edwards of Bend, Oregon. Preceding her in death were brothers: Victor (June) Orwig; Robert Orwig; sisters: Eleanor (Wayne) Conrad; Troas Edwards, and half-sisters Leora (Russell) Perkins; Eileen (Lloyd) Simons.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 1098 CR 39 in Waterloo.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held following the visitation at 11:00 at the church with Fr. Vincent Joseph, VC officiating.
Masks will be required for those attending visitation and the funeral mass at the church.
Burial will take place at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial Donations may be made to St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Eckhart Public Library, 603 South Jackson Street, Auburn, Indiana 46706 and the American Cancer Society, 111 East Ludwig Road, Suite 105, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.fellerandclark.com and on our Facebook page at Feller and Clark Funeral Homes.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Feller and Clark Funeral Home in Waterloo.