Rueben Richter, 79, of Linton passed away peacefully at home on December 24, 2020.

A public visitation will be held from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Monday, December 28, 2020 at Myers Funeral Home, Linton. Rueben took great care and thought in pre-planning his funeral services, which due to COVID will be held at a later date. It was his wish that his grandsons Bailey Richter, Joshua and Jayson Schroeder, and Nicholas, Coleman and Lawson Nieuwsma serve as his pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are listed as Emmons County Sheriff's Dept. members and the Linton Fire Department members.

Rueben was born on February 25, 1941 to Rudolph and Marcella (Nieters) Richter. He was raised on a farm between Wing and McClusky, ND. He attended school and graduated from Goodrich High School in 1959. In 1962 he married Clara Meckle and had five children: Randon, Ricky, Robin, Heidi, and Steven. He married Diana (Bosch) McCarthy on July 21, 1979 and moved to Linton where he spent the rest of his life.

During his lifetime he did carpentry and construction work, owning Richter Construction Company which he later sold. He worked for Industrial Builders Inc. as a Superintendent until 1985 after which time he went to work as a deputy for the Emmons County Sheriffs Department. In 1990 he was elected Emmons County Sheriff and held the office for 16 years until retiring in 2007.

He was a lifetime member of the North Dakota Peace Officers Association and lifetime member of the Linton Fire Department. Rueben was also instrumental in the work that went into moving the Linton Seniors Citizens' Club to it's current location. He also served as a past President for the organization. Rueben was incredibly proud of his children and grandchildren and attended many sporting and life events before his health declined. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, playing cards, baking for friends and family finally purchasing a KitchenAid mixer after years of contemplation, doing puzzles and gardening. He could always be counted on to help with any building projects for family and friends alike. While he never had formal training in such, he could draft a blueprint like an engineer.

Sharing his memories are his wife: Diana; his children: Randon (Carol) Richter of Bismarck, Ricky (Jackie) Richter of Bemidji, MN, Robin Richter of Beulah, ND, Heidi (Jay) Schroeder of Ottawa, IL, Steven (Kimberly) Richter of Mendota Heights, MN, Todd (Michelle) McCarthy of Linton, ND, and Shannon (Kenneth) Nieuwsma of Strasburg, ND ; his many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, his brothers Bernard and Raymond (Arlene) Richter, and sister Mary (Jim) Dolman.

Waiting to accept him into the Lord's embrace are his parents Rudolph and Marcella Richter and his brothers Glen, Theodore and Marvin.