Lil Richert, age 91, a resident of Windsor Park in Carol Stream, passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2026.  She was born March 20, 1934, in Mountain Lake, Minnesota to Abraham & Elizabeth Schultz. Lil met the love of her life Al Richert at Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS and they were married on June 3, 1955, enjoying over 70 years of marriage together.

Lil held many different positions while supporting Al during his years of higher education, including working as a bank teller and bookkeeper. Al held temporary positions teaching Mathematics in Hillsboro, KS and Minneapolis, MN before accepting a full-time position at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. The family relocated briefly to Lawrence, Kansas where Al completed this work on a doctorate. After the family returned to Platteville and many years of being a faithful and creative mother, Lil began a career in the Auxiliary Services Accounting Office at the University.

Accomplishments during her time living in Platteville included her work with the collaboration to start the Platteville Choral, the Platteville Children's Choir, and as a charter member of the Community Evangelical Free Church. She and Al also enjoyed many years as youth group leaders and organizing bicycle trips for the church to many of the beautiful bicycle trails in Wisconsin. Lil was known for her hospitality, hosting many dinners at their home, which always included homemade bread, rolls and pies.

Lil and Al enjoyed frequent international travel with a group of couples from Rockford, Illinois. After retirement they moved to Rockford, Illinois, joining First Evangelical Free Church where Lil served as a Deaconess. They enjoyed years of travel and playing games with friends. Those times were very memorable for them. Travel took them to a wide variety of places, including trips to Florida to volunteer with Pioneer Missions. Lil also enjoyed hosting family gatherings and leading in creative play with her grandchildren. They were always willing to travel to their children's homes to help with projects.

Lil and Al relocated to Carol Stream, Il in December 2021, almost exactly 20 years after moving to Rockford. There Lil continued to enjoy baking delicious rolls, bread and pies. She also enjoyed being able to spend time with her great grandchildren. She was active in keeping up with extended family members and was an active prayer warrior, praying for children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family members and members of the church.

She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Al; her children Mark (Lynda) Richert & Genita (Rob) Heidenreich; her grandchildren Ryan (Kairsta) Richert, Matthew (Ariana) Richert, Jordan (Christine) Richert, Thomas Heidenreich &  Margaret Heidenreich; her great-grandchildren Joanna, Parx, Jade, Adalyn, Emmarie, Eloise, Linnea & Eisley. Also survived by numerous nieces & nephews.  She was preceded in death by her siblings Rosie Fadenrecht, David Schultz, Orlando Schutz, Tilly Ewert & Al Schultz.

A visitation will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home, 565 Randy Road, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Light refreshments will follow. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed here: Funeral Service for Lil Richert . Interment will be in Wheaton Cemetery in Wheaton, IL.

Memorial gifts may be directed to First Evangelical Free Church , 2223 N Mulford Rd, Rockford, IL 61107 or Pioneer Missions , 10123 William Carey Dr., Orlando, FL 32832.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.