Mary L. Richter age 81 of Watertown passed away Monday January 28, 2013 at her home in Watertown.

Memorial Service held Saturday February 2, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Watertown with Rev. Paul Krentz officiating. A gathering of family and friends from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the church. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Mary was born on August 23, 1931 in Minneapolis the daughter of Lowell H. and Mary V. (Jensen) Tesch. Mary was baptized by her great-grandfather, W.F. Tesch in Hutchinson. She graduated from Excelsior High School in 1949 and continued her education at St. Cloud Teacher’s College. On June 12, 1954 Mary was united in marriage to Vernon O. Richter at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior. Mary earned her diploma and taught for 29 years in elementary education at St. Louis Park, Watertown and Delano.

Mary was a lifelong educator and never lost her desire to learn new things. She was an avid reader, liked to travel and was a truly gracious individual who loved to entertain her family and friends at her beautiful home, especially at Christmas.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Lowell and Mary Tesch.

Mary is greatly missed by her loving family including her devoted husband, Vernon; sons and daughters-in-law James and Ligia Richter of Newport Coast, CA, David and Cathy Richter of Watertown; beautiful grandchildren Cecilia, Ralph and Lucia Hermans, Andrea Richter, Katelin Richter and fiancé David Davis; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law Gordon and Gladys Richter of Roseville, Eugene Richter of Roseville; her wonderful cousins who Mary saw as the brothers and sisters she never had and a terrific group of lifelong classmates and friends who she cherished deeply; also by numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Arrangements with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia. www.johnsonfh.com