Richert, Agnes (1884-1973)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1973 Mar 15 p. 11

Birth date: 1884 Oct 22

text of obituary:

AGNES RICHERT

Agnes Richert, daughter of Henry P and Elizabeth (Unruh) Richert, was born at Newton, Kan. on Oct. 22, 1884, and died after a lingering illness on Jan. 21, 1973.

Out of her short sketch of her life, we note that she attended the public grade school, then known as the "Emmathal" grammar school. Although means were limited, the parents sent her to Bethel College for two years. After that she was a teacher in public schools in Corn, Okla. and during summer vacations taught vacation Bible school. Before moving to California in 1917, she was employed for nine years as a cashier in department store.

She wrote in her diary, "At an early age my heart was tender and I desired to have what other children of God had. In the year 1905 Rev. P. C. Hiebert came into our little town of Gotebo, Okla. and held meetings in our church. A revival broke out and it was then that the Lord Jesus came into my heart."

After being baptized by her uncle, Peter Richert, she was received into the Mennonite Brethren Church. Since then Christian work had always been a pleasure to her. A term at Moody Bible Institute was a time of blessing she could never forget. She enjoyed teaching an adult Bible class in Sunday school until about her 85th birthday.

The family members who remain give her this tribute: She was so "motherly" to all of us. She was a noble soul, "eine edle Seele." We shall miss her, but rejoice in her homecoming. — J. H. and Agnes Richert, Sophie Richert, Susie Lohrentz, Lydia Richert.