Bernice Maxine Shehi Richter

Bernice Maxine Shehi Richter, 85, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Thursday, April 22, 2010.

Bernice was born in Spring Creek Township, Pottawatomie County, Kansas, in the Shehi family farmhouse on May 28, 1924, less than a mile from the Spring Creek Cemetery. She and her twin brother, Bernard Max, were next to the youngest in a family of nine children.

She attended one-room schoolhouses in Pottawatomie County during her elementary years, including Spring Creek School and Sales School. She attended St. George schools from 7th through 12th grades in St. George, Kansas, where she was Valedictorian of her graduating class in 1942.

Bernice worked at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, in the Kansas State Home Extension office from 1943 - 1951. She was married to Jack R. Richter on February 23, 1947. They moved to Wichita, Kansas, in 1951 where Jack was employed by the Boeing Aircraft Company. While living in Wichita, Bernice and Jack had three children: Rose Elaine, Greg Kendal and Blake Kyle.

Bernice served as Camp Fire Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother and Den Leader Coach. She was chosen "Den Mother of the Year" in 1968. She served many PTA offices and was a very active room mother for all three of her children. She was a member of Kansas Extension Homemakers Unit for 15 years. At Bethany Presbyterian Church, she sang in the chancel choir and served as Sunday School Beginners Superintendent for 18 years. She became an Avon Representative in 1969 and continued with the Avon Company when the family moved to Shawnee, Kansas, in the summer of 1971.

She was an Avon Representative for 40 years. She earned many distinguished service awards including President's Club, Rose Circle and the "Spirit of Avon" award in 1997. She was a member of Shawnee United Methodist Women, the Keystone Sunday School Class at Shawnee United Methodist Church and Shawnee United Methodist choir.

Bernice is survived by her husband of 63 years, Jack Richter of Shawnee, Kansas; one loving sister, Elsie Shehi Bock, of Elmdale, Kansas; and three children: Rose Wrede and Greg Richter of Overland Park, Kansas and Dr. Rev. Blake Richter of DeKalb, Illinois. She was always so proud of her nine grandchildren: Cheyenna Starkovich of Prairie Village, Kansas, John Richter of Denver, Colorado, Starla Barber of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Nicholas Dolphay of Kansas City, Missouri, Bill Richter of Austin, Texas, David Richter of Schaumburg, Illinois, Carmen Richter of St. Augustine, Florida, Elizabeth Wrede and Tori Wrede of Overland Park, Kansas. Her two great-grandchildren, Savannah Moore and Logan Day-Richter were always her special delight. She was so fond of all her nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. Bernice's family and friends were always the most important thing to her in her life.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shawnee United Methodist Women at Shawnee United Methodist Church, 10700 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas 66203.

Visitation and Funeral Service

Visitation is at 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 23, 2010, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral services will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 5325 Nieman Road, Shawnee, Kansas, at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 24, 2010, officiated by Dr. Rev. Blake Richter and Fr. James Cook. After a light lunch at the church, family and friends will travel in their own vehicles for the graveside service at Spring Creek Cemetery, Pottawatomie County at 3:00 PM.