Ann Helen Lacher, 97, passed peacefully on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Avera Mother Joseph Manor, Aberdeen, SD.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with Father Mitchell McLaughlin officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery following Mass.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to Mass. A time for fellowship and luncheon will follow burial at the parish hall.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is honored to serve the Lacher family. Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be recorded and posted on Schriver’s Facebook following the service.

Ann Gauer was born on November 22, 1928, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Walter and Catherine (Biegler) Gauer. She attended rural school through 8th grade and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School, class of 1946. In June of 1948, she married Martin Lacher of Leola, SD, where they made their home. In 1956, they moved to Aberdeen, where Ann worked at St. Luke’s Hospital as a nurse’s aide in the Second Annex and then in Central Processing.

After retirement, Ann and Martin traveled on many bus trips around the country, although she did not care for Alaska – there were “too many mountains, and they all looked alike”. She was definitely a daughter of the prairie. They were also very active in the Eagles Fraternal Organization where she and Marty could be found dancing almost every Saturday night.

Annie, as she was affectionately known, was an incredible cook. She took delight in making dishes for her son and daughter-in-law and events at St. Mary’s. For many years, she would send amazing Christmas goodie boxes to her son. They were the highlight of the Christmas season.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her son, Ronald (Jane) Lacher, of Midland, Michigan, and many nieces and nephews.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Martin; parents, Walter and Catherine Gauer; sister, Dorothy; and brother, Edward.