Nelda Dean Richards

Nelda Dean Richards, 85, of Clifton passed away on Monday, March 8, 2021. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 11, 2021 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church at Norse with Pastor Bill Metting officiating. Burial will follow at Norse Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at Clifton Funeral Home. 

Nelda Pederson Richards was born and raised on the family farm in the Norse community where she was the youngest of five children of Pete and Belinda Pederson.  She attended Clifton schools where she met and fell in love with her high school sweetheart Claude Richards.  They were married at Our Saviors in Norse on Claude’s birthday, December 21, 1955. 

A farm girl, the hills of Norse were her home.  Driving through the back roads looking at the calves, wildlife and flowers gave her peace and joy.  Nelda loved gardening, fishing (with her cane pole), camping, canning and cooking.  She was an accomplished seamstress.  She made countless dresses for her daughters and enjoyed the challenge of special projects for their high school majorette and flag squad outfits.  She was an avid Texas Rangers fan, and the occasional trips to the Ballpark in Arlington were great events for her.  She was also an amazing cook, and her family always looked forward to Sunday dinner with her famous fried chicken and apple cobbler.  Nelda’s greatest passion, however, was her family, and she lived for her family.  Nelda was a devoted wife and mother and a beloved grandmother to all.  She loved watching her grandsons and then her great grandsons play baseball. 

She loved her savior Jesus and was a lifelong member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where she was baptized, confirmed and married.  Over the years she served as Sunday school teacher, youth leader and women’s Bible study leader.  She enjoyed sharing her Norwegian heritage and she looked forward every year to sharing that heritage by cooking and serving at the annual Smorgasbord.  She loved her church family just like her own family, and she looked forward to every Sunday when she could see her friends and visit with them.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Richards; sisters, Lillian Trigg, and Estelle Pederson; brothers, Milton Pederson and Arthur Pederson.

She is survived by her daughter Brenda Henry and husband Rickey of China Spring; son Ricky Richards and wife Connie of Clifton; and daughter Judy Richards of Clifton; grandsons Ryan Henry and Samantha of China Spring, Kevin Henry and Bree of Liberty Hill, Travis Richards of Everett, Washington and Russell Richards of Vienna, VA; granddaughters, Kate Lynn Yoder and husband Billy of Navasota, Kelly Keesee and husband Cody of Midland and Alison Blenden and husband Jake of Waco; 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Nelda’s family wants to extend a special thank you to the caring staff of Goodall-Witcher Hospital and Lutheran Sunset Ministries for the great care and love they showed to her during the very challenging times as she fought her battle with Alzheimer’s. 

Pallbearers will be Chris Pederson, Gaylon Murphy, Billy Yoder, Ryan Henry, Kevin Henry and Preston Montgomery.