SYLVIA AMELIA RICHTER, age 88, of Brewster, died Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Lakefield. She was born September 23, 1936 at the family home near Iona, to Jacob and Tillie (Lucht) Meyer. She grew up in Brewster and graduated in 1954.

Sylvia met her lifelong friend and future husband and they were married on June 14, 1954. They were lucky enough to celebrate their 70th anniversary this year. The couple farmed for a short time in rural Windom and moved to Brewster in 1955. Sylvia made her family and friends her life work. She worked alongside her husband helping with the field work and livestock chores.

She was a member of Extension Club and was active in her community and Church. She helped plan many class and all-school reunions, bringing classmates back in touch. At Trinity Lutheran, she was a Sunday school teacher for many years and also a member of the Ladies Aid. Sylvia made hundreds of dresses for missions and help piece and tie many quilts for missions also. Sylvia was generous with her time and talents. She brought her love of sewing into her home by doing alterations and sewing her daughter's clothes as they grew. Many cheerleader outfits were sewn, and dresses for proms and special occasions were made with love. As her daughters left the home, she started quilting and machine embroidery, leaving all family members with precious memories and also useful items.

She instilled her love of baking by teaching her daughters bread making skills and baking , which she learned in her youth as a 4-H member. There were always treats in the freezer, either for farm helpers, family, or if you happened to stop by for a visit. She loved flowers and gardening and raised lots of vegetables, and preserved them for her family by canning.

Sylvia is survived by her husband, Virgil Richter, rural Brewster; four daughters, Deb (Gordy) VanDeVenter, Oakes ND; Rhonda (Brian) Ferguson, Heron Lake; Laura (Mike) Bourquin, Brewster; and Amy (Mitch) Fossey, Lake Elmo, MN; eleven grandchildren, Sarah VanDeVenter, Holly (Brian) Connolly, Kallie (Adam) Baxter, Jessica (Kevin) Williams, Cody Ferguson, Mark (Mekenzie) Ferguson, Danette (Brian) VanderBeek, Jared (Brandi) Bourquin, Erik (Alyssa) Bourquin, Jordan (Krista) Fossey and Kyle Fossey-who lovingly called her G-Cat, thirteen great-grandchildren, Mikaela, Evan, Cullen, Holland, Lincoln, Harrison, Theodore, Carter, Jacob, Caleb, Lucy, Archer, and Tillie-who called her Grandma Great; one brother, Ron Meyer, Worthington; and a brother-in-law, Ned Voss, Onalaska, WI.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two infant sons, Bruce and Warren Richter; and two sisters, Darlene Richter and Shirley Voss.

Visitation will be from 2-4 pm Sunday, October 27 at the Dingmann Funeral Home, in Worthington, and also one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Monday. Funeral will be 10:30 am Monday at the Dingmann Funeral Home, in Worthington, officiated by Pastor David McDonald. Burial will be in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, in Brewster, at 1 pm Monday.