Wendelin Richter

Mesa AZ-Wendelin Richter, 88, formerly of Sterling, died peacefully at his home in Mesa Arizona on February 11, 2016. Wendelin Richter was born May 31, 1927 in Harvey, North Dakota. The son of Jacob and(Catherena Keller) Richter. The family farmed at Esmond North Dakota and then moved to Devils Lake North Dakota in 1933. The family finally moved to St Paul Minnesota in 1944 where they established their permanent residence. Wendelin proudly served in the US Air Corp during World War II and was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and was in charge of maintaining office typewriters and related equipment. Discharged in 1948, WR (as he was so commonly referred to by family, friends and coworkers) settled in Rock Falls and worked at Parrish Alford as a machine operator. In 1954 Richter’s Office Appliance opened up at 416 Locust Street in Sterling. WR sold and serviced typewriters and calculators. Then in 1956 WR changed the name to SBM (Sterling Business Machines) when he partnered with Robert Teets. The business was established where the Ridge Gas Station used to be. It was demolished and a new showroom was built. The company expanded over the years to encompass ¼ of the block. After 42 years of creating a successful business WR retired in 1996 to Arizona and let the second generation carry on for him. Wendelin married Pearl (Dolores Dowding) February 11, 1950 at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Rock Falls, Illinois. They were married for 58 years when Dolores passed away September 5, 2008. On July 13, 2010 Wendelin Richter married Marjorie Carducci in Mesa Arizona at Holy Cross Church in Mesa. Wendelin was a life time member of the Knights of Columbus Council 662 and 4th degree member. He also served as Grand Knight of Council 662. Survivors include two sons, Tom (Cindy) Richter of Sand Creek Michigan, Herb (Shannon) Richter of Sterling; Five Daughters Wendy (Rodney) Johnson of Rock Falls, Jodi (Ted) Hardt of Sterling, Paula (Harold) Bauer of Gold Canyon, Arizona, Sally (Steve) Moreno of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Theresa (Ron) Dir of Sturtevant, Wisconsin; two brothers Jerry Duane (Shirley) Richter of Elysian, Minnesota, Ronald (Patty) Richter of Couderay, Wisconsin; one sister Rosina (Greg) Christy of Anoka, Minnesota; seventeen Grandchildren, sixteen Great Grandchildren, four step children, nine step grandchildren and twelve step great grandchildren. Preceding him in death are his mother and father Jacob and Catharena Richter. Three brothers: Joseph, Eugene and Anthony Richter and two children Brian Kent and Curt Allen. Visitation will be 4-7PM Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation, in Sterling. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Sterling, with the Reverend James Keenan, officiating, with grave side services to follow at Calvary Cemetery. A memorial has been established. Condolences may be sent to schillingfuneralhome.com.