Gervase "Dudes" Richter

December 7, 1924 - April 16, 2022

The Mass of Christian Burial for Gervase “Dudes” Richter of Wadena will be celebrated at 11:00 am. on Saturday, April 30, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena. Visitation will be held on Friday at the Johnson-Schuller Chapel in Wadena from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. A Rosary will be said at 5:00, with Prayers at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will resume at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Gervase “Dudes” Richter, age 97, of Wadena, MN, passed away April 16, 2022, at Mukilteo, WA. Gervase “Dudes” Richter was born in Wadena, MN on December 7, 1924, the youngest of 4 sons born to Frank and Mary (Pitzel) Richter. He graduated from Wadena High School in 1942, and was married to Gladys Buckley on February 14, 1946, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena. Dudes began his career at the Wadena “Coast to Coast” (10 years). He then partnered with Jim Ehlen and opened “Ehlen-Richter Sales & Service,” selling televisions, radios and electronics, and eventually expanded by adding sporting goods. Dudes retired from his store in 1976, but continued to work for 5 more years as a bus driver for the Wadena School District. Dudes and Gladys raised three daughters in Wadena, Cindy, Mary Jo, and Kathy. Dudes was an avid hunter and enjoyed fishing, golfing, mushroom picking, and keeping his yard as perfect as possible. He often traveled to the Seattle area, California, Florida, and Arizona. Dudes was a charter member of the Wadena Elks Club (established February 10, 1963) as well as a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. He especially loved time spent with his family and friends. Dudes will be forever missed by the family he leaves behind, daughters: Cindy (Randy) Hinman of Peyton, CO, Mary Jo (Kenneth) Lynch of Mukilteo, WA, and Kathy (Steven) Lynch of Stanwood, WA; grandchildren: Laurie (Michael Wood) Hinman, Christopher (Michelle) Hinman, Amanda (Kim “Lucky”) Oliver, Aimee Lynch, Holly Lynch, Matthew Lynch, Megan Watson, Cody Lynch and Nicholas Lynch; great-grandchildren: Taylor and Alex Wood, Bothe Hinman, Keegan, Brock, Tina Jo, and Cale Oliver, Haelee and Mylah Watson, and Elias and Arlo Lynch; along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Gervase was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Gladys; his parents; older brothers: Maurice (Sally), Fabian “Fab” (Bernice), and Gerard “Gardy” (Hildegard); granddaughter Laurie’s husband, Michael Wood; and grandson, Christopher’s wife, Ali. Serving as pallbearers will be Dennis Richter, Steve Richter, Richard Richter, Kim Oliver, Mary Ann Schmidt and Diane Turner. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Wadena, MN.