Joyce Marie Richter, daughter of Louie and Vera (Dagel) Petersen, was born January 31, 1944 in Spirit Lake, Iowa. She spent her youth in the Ocheyedan and Sibley, Iowa areas along with her sister, Elnora and brothers, Robert and Leslie.
On Sunday, October 4, 1964, Joyce was united in marriage to Merlyn Edwin Richter at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon, Iowa. Throughout their life together, Joyce and Merlyn lived in the Iowa communities of Cherokee, Germantown, Sutherland, Granville and Hartley. During that time, they raised three sons: Kevin, Gary, and Brian. Joyce always considered her role as a stay-at-home-mom more of a “life-long vacation”. She enjoyed keeping up with her boys’ school events, making sure they had clean jeans to wear, and something good to eat at the end of the day.
Social time usually involved playing cards with friends – whether it was 500 or Pinochle. She was a member of several card clubs as well as St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hartley.
On Sunday, February 19, 2023, Joyce passed away at the age of 79 years. She now joins loved ones who have gone before: her husband, Merlyn (in 2012); parents, Louie and Vera Petersen; brothers: Leslie Petersen and Robert Petersen.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons and families: Kevin and his wife, Janet Richter of Hospers, Iowa, Gary and his wife, Nancy Richter of Hartley, Iowa, and Brian and his wife, Hope Richter of Dixon, Illinois; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Elnora Bates of Ocheyedan, Iowa; other relatives and friends.
A memorial service was held March 4 at the Hartley Funeral Home Chapel, Hartley, Iowa with Dr. Lynn Dau officiating.
Honorary Pallbearers were Megan Schuld, Austin Richter, Cory Richter, Chance Richter, Spencer Richter, Samantha Richter, Zachary Richter, Kaci Richter, Chris Wise, Aaron Jansen, Wyatt Richter, Paytin Richter, Brooklyn Schuld and Alivia Schuld.
Songs of Praise were “I’m But A Stranger Here,” “How Great Thou Art,” “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Beautiful Savior.”
Place of Rest is Pleasant View Cemetery, Hartley, Iowa (will take place at a later date).
Hartley Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.