It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Thomas Lee Richter, 80 years old, on December 30, 2025, at the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, NE, who went home to be with his Lord.

Known by many as “Tom” he was the son of the late Edward and Edna (Suntken) Richter. Born on August 14, 1945. November 21, 2025, Tom had a stroke while working on the farm. He was taken to the Karney Regional center. Then was transported by airplane to Bryan West ICU in Lincoln. When he was stabilized, he was transferred to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, where he passed at 1:25 AM in his wife’s arms.

Tom was baptized at St. Mary Prairie Center. He grew up in the center, served as Altar boy and other functions as a member.

Tom was raised with siblings Joan, Kenneth, and Kathrine on his parents’ farm. As a boy, Tom loved his self-help creations, especially engines. He would ride his calf with the gun his father gave him being the glorious cowboy hero.

Tom attended the neighborhood country grade school and then went to Kearney Senior High School; Tom was proud of his involvement with FFA. His coach Al Mathis had Tom participate in a land judging contest on a 8-point scale. He received the Honorary K as the top land judge out of 170 contestants.

Tom graduated on the 79th annual commencement from Kearney Senior High School June 4, 1963. He went on to Kearney State College graduating with a teacher’s degree, and minor in math. He taught Industrial Arts and Math in Fremont and Gothenburg and participated in FFA. After four years of teaching, tom returned to his first love, the Farm.

Tom raised his four children John, Mark, Matthew, and Cheryl on his farm, north of Kearney.

Tom remarried in 2002, a farmer’s daughter Carol Haumont from Broken Bow who also loved country life. Together they worked the Buffalo and Custer County lands that had been in both families for generations, just the two of them. Tom was a great farmer, he cared for his land, maintaining its vitality and health. He usually bought used machinery and used his mechanical skills to fix them up. He loved his time with his grandson Lincoln doing many projects together like fixing up the Fox go buggy. Tom became the father of Carol’s children in his heart, Clancie and Simon Haumont, who will miss him dearly.

Through his journey of 80 years, he touched many lives with his wisdom, humor, and an unwavering spirit of perveance, and learning will carry forward by those who had the privilege of knowing him. His remarkable life will forever be an inspiration, a testament to be power of an indomitable spirit entrusted with, curiosity, and resilience.

A dear friend also put Tom’s life in respectful summary, “He was old school, a straight shooter, a hand shack was his commitment to be honored. They don’t make men like him anymore!” Such a honor to have known Tom.

A visitation and time to greet the family will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the home of Thomas and Carol Richter. The address is 16665 YDC RD, Kearney, NE 68845.

Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, 5401 South Street, Lincoln, NE 68506.