James Richter

James Ambrose Richter was born December 12, 1923, at the Richter farm southeast of Adair, Iowa. He was the son of William and Teresa (Hollinrake) Richter. He passed away Monday, September 20, 2010, at the Colonial Manor in Anita, Iowa, where he resided about three weeks.

James grew up on the family farms, attended country school and later attended Exira High School. In February of 1943 he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served three years. He received his boot camp training at Farragut, Idaho, before being stationed in the Pacific serving as a mechanic on the USS PS-584 (patrol sub-chaser). During his service in WWII he survived a typhoon near Okinawa in October 1945.

Jim and Norma Jean Wedemeyer were married December 14, 1947, at St. John's Lutheran Church northwest of Adair. They had celebrated 62 years of marriage and have lived on the same farm over 60 years.

In his younger days, Jim participated in a number of contests with his horse pulling team. In addition to farming he also did custom square hay baling, corn chopping and combining.

Jim served on several church boards and had been commander of the Adair VFW 8877 for many years, where he was a life member. He also served as treasurer of the Adair Nursing Home Foundation, was on the board of the Adair Lumber Yard for many years and was a 4-H leader.

Jim and Norma Jean had gone on many bus tours including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as making several trips to visit their daughter in Switzerland. He especially was privileged to participate in The Honor Flight to Washington D.C. on August 19, 2010.

In the most recent years, Jim spent many hours cutting wood for his wood burning stove, which he enjoyed sitting by with his family on cold winter nights.

His family includes his wife, Norma Jean of Adair, Iowa; his children, Roger (Vickie) Richter of Adair, IA, Marlys (Larry) Lane of Humboldt, IA, Jann Zimmer of Atlantic, IA, Brenda (Werner) Ramseyer of Rubigen, Switzerland and Michele (Matt) Hackwell of Exira, IA; his grandchildren, Jennifer Betterton of Adair, IA, Matt Richter of Adair, IA, Jerrod Lane of Tyler, MN, Vanessa Lane of Rocky River, OH, Tyler Lane of Kearney, NE, Kate Crawford of Adair, IA, Meg Zimmer of Chicago, IL, Bart Zimmer of Ft. Collins, CO, Alex Hackwell of Exira, IA, Jessica Ramseyer and Dominik Ramseyer both of Rubigen, Switzerland; great-grandchildren, Maggie and Emma Vogl; his sister, Josephine Ballensiefer of Wiota, IA; sisters-in-law, Mable Richter and Janice Richter; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Bernerd, Bernald, Michael, Robert and Paul; and his sister, Mary Perry of Idaho.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 25, 2010, at St. John's Lutheran Church north of Adair, Iowa.

Visitation with family will be Friday, September 24, 2010, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Hockenberry Funeral Home in Adair.

Burial will be in Sunnyhill Cemetery, Adair, Iowa.