Barbara Jane Richter

Barbara Jane Richter, age 71, entered her eternal home in Heaven on August 12, 2023, surrounded by family. She is now wrapped safely in the arms of Jesus, her Savior. Barbara was born September 24, 1951, to Sharon (Kemper) and Jack Sauder in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was baptized with her sister Nancy at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walton, Nebraska on February 20, 1954. She grew up in Nebraska and Colorado, the oldest of four siblings: Nancy, Andrew, and James. Barbara was confirmed at Ascension Lutheran Church on Palm Sunday 1965 and was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church. She passed her love of Jesus on to her daughters and prayed for her family always.

Barbara graduated from Lafayette High School in 1969. She married shortly after and her lifelong dream of becoming a mother was realized as she was blessed with two daughters, Niccole and Andrea. She later divorced, but her daughters remained her pride and joy. She was often the room mom for school activities, taught Vacation Bible School, and made the best and most creative cakes for her daughters' birthday parties and all the fun holidays. She was a kind, caring and giving person who put the needs of her family before her own and faced each challenge in life with courage and dignity.

In July 1987, Barbara bravely reinvented herself by graduating from the International Air and Hospitality Academy in Vancouver, Washington. As a single mom, she fearlessly moved her family to Houston, Texas in August 1987 to take a position with Continental Airlines as a reservation agent. She worked tirelessly to support her family and continued to take on many different positions at Continental and later United Airlines, including Senior Project Manager in Technology. She greatly enjoyed her career and the people she worked with, making many dear friends. She traveled to many places across the United States and also Europe, Israel, Hong Kong, Argentina, Brazil, and Africa.

Barbara's greatest joy was spending time with her family and grandchildren. She was blessed to be at the birth of all six grandchildren. She shared stories and pictures and flew to Utah or New York to spend as much time with them as possible. She retired in March 2014 after 26 years with Continental and United Airlines. She moved to Utah to be close to her oldest daughter Niccole and family as well as her beloved mountains. She enjoyed school plays, school concerts, and spending time with her grandsons. She continued to make trips to New York to spend time with her three grandsons and granddaughter. As the dementia progressed, her family took her on several trips to Oceanside, California. She found peace watching the waves, being by the ocean and spending time with family.

Barbara is survived by her daughters who loved her and their families, Niccole (David) Schoonover and Andrea (Brian) Hoak. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Matthew and Zachary Schoonover and William, Jordan, Sophia, and BJ Hoak. She is also survived by her sister Nancy (Dave) Aswege, brothers Andrew (Cindy) Sauder, and James (Michelle) Sauder as well as many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

We would like to thank everyone who supported Barbara and her family through the last several years. Your kindness, encouragement, and prayers will never be forgotten. Services will be held October 21, 2023, 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Walton, Nebraska with a graveside service to follow at Bennet Cemetery, and a luncheon at Trinity Lutheran Church.

John 11:25 "I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies."