Muriel B. Reichardt - September 15, 2012
1916-2012Muriel B Schaffer Reichardt, age 95, died on September 15, 2012 at the home of her daughter Mary Jones in Lander, Wyoming.
Muriel was born in Auburn, Neb., on December 9, 1916, the daughter of Dr. Brady B. and Lora Dodds Schaffer. She had two brothers, Dr. Wayne W. and Dr. Leon A. Schaffer, and a sister, Ruth A. Schaffer, all of whom preceded her in death.
She was a member of the Christian Church in Auburn until she transferred her membership to the Methodist Church in Imperial.
At age 16, Muriel graduated from Auburn High School as co-salutatorian. She continued her education and graduated cum laude with a two-year degree from Peru State Teacher’s College, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and a master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
Muriel married Francis E. Reichardt in Imperial on July 3, 1938. Francis preceded her in death on August 24, 1974. They had three children, John W. (Jo), Gerald W.( Stacey), and Mary Ann Corning Jones (Tom); nine grandchildren: Rachel B, Sarah Jane and Robert E. Reichardt; Michael S., Natasha M. and Dhana M. Reichardt; R. Vincent, Caroline R., and M. Elizabeth Corning; seven step-grandchildren: Scott Horton and Michelle Horton Smith (deceased); David and Brett Corning; Mary Langer Bowman, Sara Langer, and James Langer; and 29 great-grandchildren.
She taught school in Ruskin and Imperial, Neb.; Kingston, Arkansas; College View, Arapahoe County and District #1, Adams County, Colorado. Her experience ranged from kindergarten to adult education, but she spent most of her time teaching reading and English in middle grade and junior high schools.
Muriel was active as both a member and director of church choirs from junior high till age 70. She was also active in United Methodist Women, League of Women Voters, Colorado Council of International Reading Association, Religious Coalition of Abortion Rights, Republican Party, Meals on Wheels, and regularly volunteered at Alpine Manor Nursing Home as a leader of the Book Club. Muriel was a member of the Adams County Placement Alternative Commission and International Reading Association.
In 1994, she was honored with the Mary Ciancio Distinguished Service Award for outstanding volunteer services in Adams County, Colo. In January 2012, Muriel received the Imhoff Award from the Order of the Eastern Star recognizing her 69 years of service.
After moving to Lander, Wyoming, in 2005, Muriel began using her less formal name, B. She continued her volunteer work at the Methodist Thrift Store, the Care and Share Food Bank, and supported the Alternative to Family Violence.
The family asks that memorials be made to the organizations where B volunteered: The Care and Share Food Bank, Alternative to Family Violence or the Methodist Thrift Store. Memorials may be made to one of the above organization C/O her daughter, Mary Jones, at 2289 N. Second Street, Lander, WY 82520
A celebration of B’s life was held on Saturday, September 22 at the First Methodist Church in Lander.
There will be a graveside service at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Imperial, Nebraska, on Saturday, September 29 at 3:00 p.m.
