Jarelyn Sue Richter

Jeri was born in Hagerstown, Indiana to Bob and Iva Hanen. She was the oldest of three girls, born and raised in Indiana with her sisters Jean and Cathie. She attended school in New Lisbon, where all grades were in the same school. There were 10 students in her graduating class. She was raised on a farm and her chore before school was to milk the cows. She was allergic to cow dander and had to deal with asthma growing up. The chores also included carrying coal to the house for the only stove they had for heat. Jeri and her sister Jean would warm up by the stove before running up to bed trying to stay warm. It was so cold during the winters that they had snow on the windowsills. The cooking stove was heated by firewood. Her parents finally got indoor plumbing in 1958. After graduating high school, Jeri went on to Ball State College for one year. She them went to Bob Jones University for another year and a half. At Bob Jones, Jeri met Dan, the love of her life, and they were married in 1956. She finished her bachelor's degree at Colorado University. Her career was as an Elementary school teacher at Allendale Elementary. She really enjoyed educating 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. They had two sons, Dave and Doug. She had three grandsons, Patrick, Ryan, and Matthew, and two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Peyton. She was so proud of her family. She made a house a true family home. After retirement, they traveled many places in their RV, just enjoying the sights. They called it Exploring God's Country. They met friends everywhere they went and stayed in contact with them for many years. Dan and Jeri were strong Christians attending Beth Eden Baptist Church, and in 1976 their family joined Riverside Baptist Church.