Janet Richards

On December 20, 2020, God called His beautiful blue eyed angel home. Janet Joyce Richards left our earth peacefully, under the care of her loved ones, her extended family at Country Friends Assisted Living in Sumner, and The Care Team Hospice, to spend eternity in the arms of Jesus. Janet was born to Edward and Emily (Parks) Armbrustmacher, on March 27, 1934 in Bloomer Township. As a child she enjoyed tending to the animals with her father and helping her mother cook. She loved getting into mischief with her older brother Don, where he had her in his pocket from the time she could walk. On August 27, 1954, at the First Congregational Church of Carson City, she married Donald Junior Richards. From their first skate at Rainbow Gardens Roller Rink in Crystal, Janet would be the apple of Don's eye and keeper of his heart, forever. Don announced their engagement to her parents by painting a heart on the upstairs bedroom wall in her childhood home. They would spend the next 62 years living a life full of love, laughter, adventure and hard work, while raising their family of six children along the way. Janet was employed with Carson City Hospital for many of her early working years. From there, she went onto Lansing, where she retired as a third party liability clerk with the State of Michigan. Janet was a "busy-bee" and "social butterfly." She loved her community -- volunteering at Carson City Hospital, The Garden Club, The American Red Cross, and being an active member of the First Congregational Church of Carson City. In the summer you would often find Janet outdoors, sitting in her swing watching the birds, tending to her many flowers and Day Lilies, and picking vegetables and strawberries in her enormous garden. She loved traveling to Florida in the winter months, reading "Reminisce Magazine," and watching "old-timey" musicals. She always looked forward to attending any program or production that her grandchildren were involved in. Janet and Don absolutely loved Christmas - from their decorations, to wrapping presents, and of course Janet and her Christmas cookies! She would sing at Christmas Eve service and "shush" Don, as he would sing or whistle whatever song he pleased. Janet was quick-witted and funny, smart and sassy, with a smile that lit up a room, and eyes that twinkled like a diamond. Mix in a touch of German temperament, alongside an abundance of love that could not be measured, God sure packed a lot into one little marvelous package! Surviving are her children, Donald & Carey Richards of Hubbardston, Douglas & Patti Richards of Carson City, Diane & Dick White of Crystal, David Richards of Carson City, Dale Richards of Carson City, and Jennie & Mike Schlaud of Flint; grandchildren, Brian (Katie), Mark (Kelli), Emily, Addie Jo, Nathan, Michael, Kurt (Melena), Melissa (Jason), Rich (Sara), Jason (Angie), and Lisa (David); and great-grandchildren, Colton, Mariana, Teddy, Ben, Lincoln, Julia, Jace, Jalyn, Jerrod, Noah, Tyler, Cameron, Kieara, Chelcie, Kalyn, Kyler, Colin, and Caleb; and two sisters-in-law, Glenna Richards and Beverly Richards. Awaiting her arrival in Heaven are her parents, Edward and Emily Armbrustmacher; her brother, Donald E. Armbrustmacher (who was killed in action in World War II); her loving husband, Donald J. Richards; two beloved grandsons, Alex Richards and Aaron White; and two daughters-in-law, Judy Ellen Richards and Patricia Fae Richards. Graveside services are at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, August 27, 2021 at East Plains Cemetery near Hubbardston, where the family with greet relatives and friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Friday. The Rev. Ried Martin will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions in memory of Janet to the activities fund at Country Friends Assisted Living, The Care Team Hospice for their excellent care and compassion, or to the First Congregational Church of Carson City. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Janet Richards, please visit our flower store.