Richert, Margaret (1878-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Oct 4 p. 6

Birth date: 1878 Apr 27

text of obituary:

— Sister Margaret Richert, R.N., who devoted her life to the care of the aged and the sick in the Goessel and Moundridge communities, died Sept. 26 at the Bethesda Hospital in Goessel. Funeral services were conducted Saturday forenoon at the Alexanderwohl church, with Rev. P. A. Wedel and Rev. H. B. Schmidt officiating. Sister Margaret was born in McPherson County April 27, 1878, and was ordained as a deaconess in the Alexanderwohl church. She was in charge of the Goessel hospital from 1911 to 1923, lived at Moundridge from 1923 to 1933, and from 1933 to 1950 was superintendent of the Bethesda Home at Goessel. Surviving are a brother, D. H. Richert of North Newton; two sisters, Mrs. P. A. Penner of Newton and Mrs. H. D. Epp of Henderson, Neb.; and three sisters-in-law, Mrs. P. H. Richert of Route 2, Mrs. J. H. Richert of Newton, and Mrs. J. J. Richert of Wichita.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Nov 22 p. 8

text of obituary:

SISTER MARGARET RICHERT

I, Margaret Richert, daughter of Heinrich and Helena Unruh Richert, was born April 27, 1878, in South Blumenfeld, McPherson County, Kansas.

Here I received my elementary education. This included also German school under our beloved teacher, Peter Balzer.

I was baptized on May 27, 1896, upon my confession of Christ as my personal Saviour by Rev. Jacob Buller, and received into the Alexanderwohl Church. Later when mother and I lived in Moundridge I transferred my membership to the West Zion Mennonite church and again later back to the Alexanderwohl church.

After finishing elementary education, I was at home helping mother in the family circle. During these years father was sick, being paralized [sic] for five years. He was called to his heavenly home in 1895. Shortly before his departure he told me that he and mother planned to let me attend Bethel Academy. This I did for two years. After that I was at home again. I taught in Sunday School and also two terms of German school.

Father Balzer was greatly interested in the Bethesda Hospital and Deaconess work, and he and mother were happy when I told them that I felt called to take up nursing. My sister Martha was "Geimeinde Schwester" at this time, and she encouraged me greatly in this.

In 1906 I entered the German Deaconess Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in 1909. In March of that year i accepted the position as superintendent of the Bethesda Hospital. this position I held until 1919, then went to take care of our aged mother.

In 1911 I was ordained as Deaconess by Rev. Heinrich Banman.

Mother and I moved to Moundridge in 1920. During these years I did some private nursing. After the new hospital was built, I was asked to take charge of the Bethesda Home for Aged, and I could bring mother with me. It was thus my privilege to take care of our mother until she was called to her heaevnly [sic] home in 1906.

In the Bethesda Home I served full time from 1933 until 1950. I have found much joy in this service. After this I made my home with my sister, Mrs. P. A. Penner, in Newton. In January 1954 I entered the Bethesda Home as a guest, having secured a "Home Right."

The Lord has dealt with me, not according to my iniquities, but according to his great mercy.

(So far the words of Sister Margaret in her own familiar handwriting.)

Although in failing health for some time, Sister Margaret died rather suddenly Wednesday, Sept. 26. She reached the age of 78 years and five months, minus one day. She leaves to mourn her departure one brother, D. H. Richert, and wife Edith; two sisters, Martha (Mrs. P. A. Penner) and Elisabeth and husband H. D. Epp;; three sisters-in-law, Mrs. Sarah Richert, Newton, Mrs. Maude Richert, Wichita, and Mrs. Eva Richert, Newton. Besides these there are a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by four brothers and seven sisters.

In her nursing career Sister Margaret found great support through the friends she gained in her vocation. She appreciated very much the privilege granted her in the Bethesda home and Hospital. — The Family.