1917 – Susie Richter – 2021

Susie Alma Richter (McDougall) of Medicine Hat, passed away on Saturday, December 25, 2021 at the age of 104 years. She leaves to cherish her memory three children, Sharon Hanson, Doug and Grace MacDougall, John and Cindy MacDougall, six grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren; two sisters, Betty and Anne as well as many dear friends and family. She was predeceased by her husbands Lloyd MacDougall and Rudolph Richter and by one son David MacDougall. Susie was born in 1917, close to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. As the family farmhouse was not finished, they were living in temporary quarters in their barn. Peter and Nettie Fast had ten children. Susie, being the fourth child, was conscripted to help with so many daily jobs centered around growing grain crops, raising cattle, and her favorite, helping to raise younger siblings. Being part of the Mennonite community, Sue chose a local Bible institute to enrich her knowledge of the Bible. Then she turned her face eastward, stopping just south of Winnipeg to work for a rich uncle (yes, really, the family owned a potato chip company). Then Ontario called. We love the black and white photo of her with a friend, paddling down one of the many canals. She contributed to the Canadian Armed forces team during World War II by producing silk for parachutes. Back for another round of Bible Education, this time at Briercrest Bible Institute. Co-Ed activities were non-existent there, but somehow, mysteriously, a glance at an athletic, humorous senior student named Lloyd MacDougall, lit a match. The President of the Institute presided over the wedding in a quaint country setting. The new couple started a new church in Davidson and birthed a lovely daughter, Sharon. Lloyd loved the road and Briercrest came calling. He traveled every state and province in the U.S.A. and Canada with musical teams, extending invitations to prospective students to come to Briercrest. That’s aside from a teaching load … but our family loved the students, who were just a bit younger than Lloyd and Sue. Douglas was added to the family there. They raised us in a chilly lean-to attached to an Air Force hangar. Our suite was a slightly upgraded mechanical bay. But the war was over and the surplus buildings now served as a complete campus. After eight years Lloyd pastored a church in Estevan for a year. Sue was a pioneer, breaking the soil for lawns and gardens in the new subdivisions of Saskatoon – three new homes but dust for toothpaste. While Lloyd used his talents as a sales guy, Mom took time away from canning, cooking, and caring for two kids, to do some revenue work. She sewed draperies, boarded international students from Hong Kong, Pakistan, and India, and other people who were interesting to the whole family. Her talents other than sewing included music, handcrafts, and sports. She gave back from her Christian Education days by teaching children from age three. Sharon went to Briercrest from Saskatoon, after excelling in academics and music. She found her perfect match, (John) there and ministered in California until retirement. Doug followed the lead and graduated from Briercrest. David and John were added to the family in 1955 and 1964. David passed away too early at 28 years. John found a business career in Toronto after graduating from the University of Regina. When Lloyd passed away at age 48, Susie spent time as a single Mom, but after eight years she moved to Melville, becoming a new wife again. Her life changed in an instant as she walked to a luncheon one winter day in 1995. She sustained over a dozen fractures, head injuries, and bruises. She defied the doctors who told her she would never walk again, took a year to go through rehabilitation, and gained strength to walk. When her second husband died, she joined Grace and Doug in Medicine Hat, enjoying life at Park Meadows, Chinook Village, and finally retiring to Good Samaritan. She showed a lifetime determination to follow Jesus and wove it into every fabric of her life. She shared her faith and gained strength from it. We will miss her and her unselfish, untiring support. A private graveside service will be held at Hillside Cemetery. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: office@pattisonfuneralhome.com subject heading: Susie Richter, or you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com and leave a message of condolence.

• Date : 2021-12-25
• Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta

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