Jack Raymond Richter

 “If I don’t make it through this, it’s been a great ride.”

PARDEEVILLE – Jack Raymond Richter, age 84, of Pardeeville, was born to Otto and Edna (Reichardt) Richter on September 26, 1939, in Sheboygan.  After a brief battle with lung cancer, Jack died at home on January 12, 2024, with his loving family by his side. 

Jack married the love of his life, Sharon (Kamrath) Richter, on April 24, 1965.  Together they raised four children and spent 58 blessed years together.  Jack had a strong work ethic and always worked in the foundry industry.  He retired from Portage Casting and Mold after working there for 25 years.  His favorite place to spend time fishing and hunting was going up North to his beloved “shack,” which he built with his son, John, and son-in-law, Brett.   He was a talented wildlife wood carver and enjoyed tending to his garden.  His family and grandchildren meant everything to him. Jack had a very close bond with all his brothers and sisters and spent many get togethers playing cards, drinking Old Style, laughing, and of course banging away on that ole stump fiddle! 

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Sharon; children, John (Valerie) Richter of Bruce, Jackie (Jereme) Vande Hey of Fall River, and Jolene (Brett) Wheeler of Poynette; grandchildren, Jenna & Joceline Helmbreck, Maverick & Manning Wheeler, and Alexa & Jack Richter; sister, Judy (Don) Zimmerman; brother-in-law, Larry (Carol) Kamrath; sister-in-law, Karen Richter; other relatives, and many wonderful friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Janell; granddaughter, Jessica Helmbreck; sisters Doris (Frank) Spender and Dorothy Wergin; and brothers, Otto Jr. (Margie), Eugene (Delores), and Robert Richter.

You were a loving husband, cherished dad, and the best Papa who will be forever missed.  Although our hearts are broken, we find solace in knowing that you are together again with Janell and Jess, whom you have missed so much.  

Jack’s wishes were to be remembered for the good times and not to have a service.  If you kindly wish to make a memorial, please make it to Northwoods Inc., P.O. Box 357 Portage, WI, 53901, or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD, 21741.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.