Sherman Rausch, 93, of Gettysburg, passed away Friday, February 23, 2018 at Avera Maryhouse, Pierre.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at the United Methodist Church, Gettysburg. Burial followed at the Gettysburg Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 26, 2018 at the church, with family present.

Sherman Rausch, son of George and Emma (Steinkamp) Rausch, husband of Oletha (Larrington) was born on October 23, 1924 in Gorman, SD. His childhood was spent with his three brothers, Leland, Jesse and Neal and his sister, Eva on the family farm in an area then known as “Rauschville” due to the close proximity of his relative’s homestead properties.

He attended Agar High School, played basketball for the State B teams, graduating in 1942. Sherman joined the Navy and trained as a radio operator. His duties changed when the Base Commander needed a sailor with good typing skills. His long fingers and 100 WPM typing changed his assignment from radio operator to typist for the Base Commander. Sherman was a member of the Gettysburg Methodist Church, the Masonic Order and the Order of Eastern Star.

Sherman farmed with his brothers, Leland, Jesse and Neal for 45 years, retiring in 1992. Although retired, Sherman still checked grain prices, drove by the fields and monitored rainfall. He marveled and appreciated the modern farm equipment and the new no tillage farming practices. As a retired farmer Sherman started gardening and grew radishes, cucumbers and an abundance of tomatoes to share with family and friends. Retirement also provided Sherman and Oletha time to attend their grandchildren’s activities and pursue “rock hounding”, plying the shores of the Missouri and the SD Badlands searching for the perfect rock to cut and polish.

Blessed to have shared his life are daughter, Nancy (Michael) Walz, Littleton, CO, son, Jeff (Diane) Rausch, Pierre; grandchildren: Kristin (Scott) Hangebrauck, St. Louis Park, MN, Kyle (Jesyna) Rausch, Brookings and Andrew Walz, Littleton, CO; great grandchildren: Stella, Wynley, Hollyn, Beckett, Leyna and Oryn; brother, Neal, sisters-in-law: Dorothy Rausch, Mary Hanson, Margaret Larrington and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Oletha, brothers, Leland and Jesse, sister, Eva, a great granddaughter, Lumyn Jae Rausch, brothers-in-law: Leo, Howard and John Larrington, Robert Boulding, and Junior Buhrer and sisters-in-law: Carol Rausch, Betty and Alice Larrington and Betty Boulding.

Memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church, 101 E. Garfield, Gettysburg, SD 57442.

Luce Funeral Home, Gettysburg has been entrusted with Sherman’s arrangements.

Sherman B. Rausch