Richard Zacher
March 9, 1936 ~ October 22, 2018
Richard Zacher, 82, of Eagle Butte, passed away Monday, October 22, 2018 at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House, Sioux Falls after a long battle with cancer.
Funeral services were held at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, October 27, 2018 at All Saints Catholic Church, Eagle Butte with Fr. Bryan Sorenson presiding. Burial followed in the Eagle Butte Cemetery with military honors. A rosary service was held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 26, 2018 at the church with visitation one hour prior.
Richard Pius Zacher was born March 9, 1936 in Eagle Butte to Frank J. and Mary L. (Ganje) Zacher. Dick learned the value of hard work growing up on the farm and these values rendered him an entrepreneur and main street businessman. Dick served in the US army for two years upon graduating from high school in 1955. Dick was married to Ophelia (Swan), mother of their children Karla and Bryan, for 22 years. Dick gave back to his community as mayor, serving several terms. Dick enjoyed volunteering for the All Saints Catholic Church doing yardwork.
When Dick was not working, he enjoyed gardening, fishing, playing cards, listening to polka music, making homemade pickles and grilling steaks. His tasty soups will be missed by many.
Dick is survived by his children Karla (Kasey) Abbott, Amber, Mary (Deitrich) Thompson and Will; and Bryan (Kim) Zacher and Shawn. He is also survived by his brothers Phil (Carolie) Zacher, Jerome (Edwina) Zacher and Jack (Karen) Ganje. Surviving nieces and nephews are Maria (Dave) Kuharski, Denise Grubbs, Mike (Tracy) Zacher, Renee Zacher and JJ (Nicole) Zacher.
Dick was preceded in death by his father Frank J. Zacher and his mother Mary L. Zacher. Also preceding him in death were his brother Robert Zacher and ex-wife Ophelia Breisch.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be given to: Prairie Creek Assisted Living, 4312 W. Creekside Circle, Sioux Falls SD 57106 - Attn: Courtyard Fund
Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte has been entrusted with Richard’s arrangements.
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Hi Karla, Just wanted to send my condolences. I see your dad was a military man as was my dad. I am thankful for his service to our country. best, steve
So sorry for your loss! Hang on to your good memories.
Karla: My condolences on your loss. Nancy
Prayers to Richard and his family. He was a strong pillar of our church and community. He will be missed. May he Rest In Peace.
Dad absolutely loved Polka music and the Avera Dougherty House arranged a private concert on October 11th which I would consider one of his best days ever! We didn’t even think Dad could attend because he was so weak the day before. But what you see here is a strong, transformed man through the use of music therapy. Dad, I hope your days in heaven are filled with polka music from here on out. We love you!
I was blessed to have a great father-in-law, and fishing partner. We had many memorable fishing outings, but none more so than our last! Our first challenge was that the boat battery was dead so we replaced it with the trolling motor battery. Then the dock was gone, and as I am walking to the ramp, I realized that Dick was coming in to some rocks. I started running, when I hit a wet spot, and slammed down on the concrete ramp. Dick was cackling as he saw I wasn’t seriously hurt, but then we were both concerned as the boat was bouncing off of rocks. I quickly got it pushed off and got on the boat. We tried the gas trolling motor but we couldn’t get it started. We then decided to just troll with the boat motor, but we weren’t having any luck, so we decided to put the trolling motor battery back and fired up the trolling motor. We knew we had to be careful to make sure the battery had enough power left over. After a few more fish, we decided we had better not push our luck. I hook the battery back up and boat doesn’t start. We tried hooking the batteries in parallel, manual pull rope for the gas trolling motor, etc. it is looking bleak but luckily the winds shift and we get to shore. I leave Dick to get the pickup. As I’m driving back, I spot our boat and it is going in a zig zag pattern and pitched at 30 degrees! Dick had decided to try the manual pull rope and gave it everything he had, and the trolling motor started! He then realized that the trolling motor was out of the water. He quickly dropped it down and then got showered with water and mud, and it darn near quit on him. He raised it as high as he could, and then started gunning it back and forth and finally freed the boat. He then discovered that the boat had taken a lot of water, as the electric bilge pump didn’t work. He also had to steer the trolling motor from the back, and try to look around the front of the boat, which also lead to him getting caught on a sandbar. He almost threw in the towel then, as he was *&%$ tired but finally freed the boat. I raced back to the dock and waited. I was starting to fear the worst, I didn’t know he was caught on a sandbar, when finally he comes around the point. Dick was having a hard time with the waves and the darkness. I pulled the trailer rope out as far as I could into the water, and on the second pass, as Dick encouraged me with colorful language, I get it latched to the boat. We hugged in relief and celebration as we were actually going to make it back to Eagle Butte that night!
My condolences on the loss of your father. I loved his reaction to our Swan Song program for Avera hospice and am so happy he enjoyed it! Will you contact me about permission to use your beautiful quote and video? Thank you and best wishes during this time of grief.
Karla, My condolescences to you and your family on the death of your father. May you experience the presence and peace of God’s love during this time of sorrow.
My sympathy to the Zacher family. Thanks Kasey and Karla for the wonderful fishing story and polka video. What great memories to have and it looked like he really enjoyed the polka music. Memories are what sustain us and will help ease losing "dad". I had a nurse tell me that my dad was greeting all of his friends who had passed before and they were having a good time. That really hit home for me and helped ease the pain of his loss. Darlene Gray Kutzler
Karla and family, sorry for the lost of your father, he was a good man always appreciated when you and your dad showed up for Justin’s services, sorry we didn’t make it seen it in the paper, my prayers are with you all.