Christel Richter
Posted Feb 28, 2023 | 8:24 AM by PattFH
Christel Richter
1929 ~ 2023
Seven weeks after the passing of our Dad, our Mom, Christel Elfriede Richter of Medicine Hat, beloved wife of the late Paul Richter, peacefully passed away on February 17, 2023 at the age of 93 years.
Mom, the second of twelve children, was born to Gustav and his first wife, Emilie (Schritt) Kort on August 16, 1929 in Schmellenthin (now a part of Poland). After resettling in Germany during World War II, she met Paul and they were married 71 years ago. Their oldest daughter, Cornelia (aka Coni) was born a year later; shortly after the family immigrated to Canada, residing in Medicine Hat. Their second daughter, Gisela, was born and completed the family.
Christel was creative, meticulously so; she enjoyed cooking and baking. What a hostess she was! Each birthday was made special by the torte she made for us. Gisela and I have tried replicating this talent and have failed miserably at it. Mom loved entertaining; and in spite of having to work full-time, she had no problem planning dinner parties, without recipes, for family or friends, groups sometimes as large as 20 people. Her tables always looked amazing! Mom found enjoyment in knitting. She would give us a Sears catalogue, and would say, pick a sweater you want. Two sweaters would be finished in no time, and looked exactly like the picture in the catalogue, all without a pattern. Our parents both enjoyed gardening – Dad planted the vegetables, and Mom the flowers of all colors and description.
Mom taught us about sacrifice and that love conquers all by saying good-bye to 11 siblings and her parents in Germany to live in a foreign land she knew nothing about, but would later call home. She taught us that prayers are answered, about helping and being kind to others and to love the way Jesus taught us.
Christel is survived by her daughter, Coni (John) Christo and their children, Kevin (April) Christo along with Oma’s ray of sunshine, great granddaughter, Kinley; and daughter Sheena (Jim) Slobodian; and her daughter Gisela (Vince) Mullan and their daughter Carrera (Mitch) Kostur. She is also survived by two brothers and two sisters in Germany, as well as brother-in-law Rudy (Marlene) Richter and sister-in-law Marie Richter.
Besides her loving husband Paul on December 31, 2022, Mom was predeceased by her parents, two sisters and five brothers as well as seven sisters-in-law and five brothers-in-law.
Following a private interment at Hillside Cemetery, the funeral service will be held in the Wuerfel Auditorium at South Country Village, 1720 Bell Street SW, on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Murray Jaster officiating.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish to remember Christel Richter with a donation may do so to South Country Village, 1720 Bell Street SW, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 5G1 or a charity of your choice.
The service will be live streamed. Those who wish to attend virtually, please visit pattisonfuneralhome.com and select live streaming, then select the youtube (arrow). To leave a message of condolence you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.
- Date : 2023-02-17
- Location : Medicine Hat, AB