Virginia P. Richter

Virginia Pearl "Bid" Richter, beloved Mother, Aunt, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother died peacefully in her sleep on July 29, 2018.

Born Virginia Pearl Williams on July 1,1918 in Elkhart, she was the youngest daughter of Fred and Pearl Williams and sibling of Buster, Guy, Raymond (Toad), Verla, Robert, Katie, June, and George. Virginia was a graduate of Elkhart High School in 1937. As a young woman she was extremely active, working in the soda shop known to locals as the 'Handy Dandy' and for Miles Laboratories promoting their new product Alka-Seltzer. Later she became an advocate for children with disabilities, volunteering with a group that evolved into the organization called ADEC. She adored children and after marrying Karl Fritz Richter in September 1940, had two of her own, Karleen and Karl; they also live in Elkhart.

As a housewife she devoted her time to her family and her children's activities.

She and Fritz spent most of their summers renting a cottage at Syracuse Lake and hosting large family reunions, in 1957, the family along with Fritz's mother Phyllis took a big trip by car and drove to California to visit family and see the newest attraction Disneyland.

Bid had many hobbies over the years but most special was her talent for scrapbooking, long before it became popular. She made scrapbooks for each of her grandchildren Darrin and Jena and even for her great-grandchildren Sabrina, Hanna, Lucy and Nicholas. Nothing could make her happier than a visit from the grandchildren.

Gambling was an occasional treat, with trips to "the boat" to spend her birthday money. Although she never cared much for cooking she enjoyed baking and always had a stash of cookies or brownies in the freezer for her frequent guests. Her great-grandchildren are proudly carrying on the tradition with her Christmas cookie and zucchini bread recipes.

On July 1st 2018, Bid's family and friends had the honor of celebrating her centennial at the home she shared with Karleen. On this occasion as for so many others, Bid was surrounded by loving, happy people. But we were the truly lucky ones. We consider ourselves fortunate to have been blessed with this utter ray of light as the mother of our family and we are so very grateful for her many gifts to us over her 100 years of life. She is forever in our hearts. Virginia's husband Fritz passed away in May, 1970. Surviving are her daughter Karleen Richter and son Karl Kim (Judy) Richter of Elkhart. Granddaughters Darrin (Patrick) Spreng of Zug, Switzerland and Jena Young of Greer, South Carolina and Great-grandchildren Sabrina Virginia and Nicholas Spreng and Hanna and Lucy Young. Also sister-in-law Eleanor Williams and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Mary Jane Hiles for help with Bid's daily care and other friends and family that came for visits to brighten her day.

We are honoring her wish for family graveside service. Donations in her memory may be given to Elkhart County Humane Society.

Arrangements are entrusted to Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral home where online condolences may be made at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com.