Estelle Catherine Richter

Estelle Catherine Richter, 82, formerly of Washington Island, passed away Wednesday evening, November 12, 2025 at Cardinal Ridge CBRF in Sturgeon Bay where she resided the past seven years.

She was born with her twin, Adele, on Washington Island on August 4, 1943 to Arni Jacob Richter and Mary Catherine (Cornell) Richter. Estelle and Adele grew up with two sisters, Carol and Mary Jo. Estelle graduated from Washington Island High School and went on to study education at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh where she graduated and earned a Wisconsin Teaching Certificate.

Her teaching career included elementary grades at Washington Island Schools, and then in Alaska, initially in Golovin and then later, Little Diomede Island.

Estelle loved photography and colorful art. She was always interested in Russian literature and culture, and that was, in part, a reason for her choosing to teach native children on a tiny island in the Bering Sea, from which the Russian island of Big Diomede, as well as the Russian mainland on clear days, could be seen.

During her time teaching in Alaska, Estelle became a member of the Bahá’í faith. While there, health restricted her ability to work and travel. She exhibited a special affinity for those who were downtrodden, who faced adversity in their lives through birth and circumstances.

Estelle will be missed by her sisters, Carol Lemon of Sister Bay and Mary Jo (Richard) Purinton of Washington Island; and many nieces and nephews (and their children).

She was preceded in death by her parents; her twin sister, Adele; brother-in-law, Robert Lemon; and other relatives.

Estelle was laid to rest in the Town of Washington Cemetery with a graveside service on Friday, November 14, 2025.

Estelle’s family would like to thank the staffs of Cardinal Ridge in Sturgeon Bay as well as Unity Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.

Arrangements were entrusted with Casperson Funeral Home in Sister Bay. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Estelle may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.CaspersonFuneralHome.com.

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