Jerome "Jerry" F. Lacher

Jerome "Jerry" Lacher, age 71, of Aberdeen, was called home to his final resting place on Thursday, October 17, 2013, at Aberdeen Health & Rehab.

Jerry was born April 14, 1942, to Frank and Magdalena "Maggie" (Kuntz) Lacher in Aberdeen. Jerry attended St. Mary's Grade School and graduated from Central High School in 1960. He went on to Northern State University and later transferred to South Dakota State University. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree in January 1966.

Jerry worked for the South Dakota Department of Transportation from 1966-1978 in Aberdeen, Milbank, and Yankton. Jerry was proud of the roads he worked on and later would often say to his girls, "Do you know who built this road?" He was a clever man who would never admit to being lost, but would always explain he was "just checking out the roads in this area."

In 1974, Jerry met a special farmer's daughter, named Shirley Wagenaar. The following year, on February 15, 1975, the two of them married in Arlington, SD. Jerry was an active member of the Jaycees and elected South Dakota Jaycees State President from 1975-1976. Shirley also became an active Jaycette. They met many life-long friends in the Jaycees and enjoyed all the fun trips together.

Jerry and Shirley made their home in Yankton until 1978, when they moved to Wilmot, SD to open a hardware store, Coast-to-Coast. In January of 1978, they also had their first child, Jessica. Their second daughter, Cassandra, was born in February of 1980. Jerry and Shirley were active members of the Wilmot Community Club and chaired a few of the Snow Queen contests. They have also cherished their group of friends from the Whetstone Valley area.

During the years of owning and operating the hardware store, Jerry also commuted to jobs with Banner Engineering in Aberdeen and the Corps of Engineers in Rapid City and Grand Forks. In 1988, he joined the Bureau of Indian Affairs as an Operations Engineer for the Department of Transportation, based in Aberdeen. In 1989, the Lacher family sold the hardware store and moved to Aberdeen. Jerry was promoted to Supervisory Highway Engineer in 1994. He oversaw the Great Plains Region. In November of 2000, the Deputy Commission- Indian Affairs of the US Department of the Interior granted Jerry the Superior Service Award for his exceptional and persistent pursuit for quality management of the Indian Reservation Roads Program. Jerry retired from the BIA in 2007. Jerry was a hard-working, dedicated public servant.

Jerry was an active member of the Aberdeen Exchange Club. He served as a local club President, Treasurer, Dakota Territory District President and Treasurer for several years. He spent many hours organizing the flag routes and converting them to electronic versions, and enjoyed cooking the meat for their annual picnic. Jerry took pride in the service projects organized by the club and again, secured life-long friendships with other members.

In 2008, Jerry welcomed his first granddaughter, Alexandra, to the world. Alex was the apple of her grandpa's eye! Jerry also lovingly welcomed Julian, Cassandra and Kenneth's foster son into the family, and so loved watching Julian and Alex play together. He always made sure they had train and carousel tickets for Storybook Land! Jerry loved his family and enjoyed time spent together.

When his daughters were growing up, Jerry rarely missed their sporting events and always offered to drive the teams to out-of-town games. He was sure to video record their games so he could provide some "coaching" later. Jerry was so proud of both daughters' career choices in working with people with disabilities.

Friends and family will remember Jerry as a wonderful host, cook, handyman, outdoorsman, and wood worker, but most of all, his generosity, sense of humor, and commitment to his faith.

Grateful for having shared his life: His wife of 38 years, Shirley of Aberdeen, daughters Jessica (Jeff) Andrist of Monticello, MN; Cassandra (Kenneth) Christensen of Norfolk, NE, one granddaughter, Alexandra Andrist and foster grandson Julian Reynolds. Siblings: Linda (Gary) Huettl of Westport; brother Ron (Linda) Lacher of Aberdeen; Steve (Kathy) Wagenaar of Aberdeen; Gary (Janet) Wagenaar of Austin, MN; Audrey (Joe) Bailey of Wasilla, AK; Goddaughter Ashley Huettl of Leola, numerous nieces, nephews, and life-long friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Maggie, parents-in-law Mark and Emma Wagenaar, sisters Caroline & Darlene Lacher, special Aunt and Uncle Elizabeth & Charles Savage, and many other aunts and uncles.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, October 23, 2013, at 10:30 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 409 2nd Ave NE in Aberdeen. The Rev. Joe Holzhauser will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements are with Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, October 22, 2013, from 4-6 PM at Schriver's with a Liturgical Wake Service at 5:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials to Camp Gilbert (www.campgilbert.com) or Camp Dream-Makers (www.facebook.com/AberdeenAreaCampDreamMakers).

Jerry certainly left behind a strong legacy of love.