Howard Lacher

Howard James Lacher passed away at home with his family by his side after a long and courageous battle with cancer on February 23, 2025. A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 28th at Bismarck Funeral Home at 10:30 with visitation one hour prior to service. Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery at 2:00 PM.

Howard Lacher was born May 7, 1946, to Joe and Elsie (Ostoj) Lacher in Richardton, ND. He was raised on the family farm just south of Richardton. Beginning at an early age, he started playing the violin where he received many top honors. He graduated from Taylor High School in 1964. He then went on to Heavy Equipment School in Indianapolis, Indiana; upon his return he worked for Wally Fossum Construction. He proudly served in the US Army from 1966 to 1968. He then met Carole Stoltz at Kens Flower shop where she was working. With a quick courtship of just 3 months, they were married in 1969 in Bismarck. They moved to Minneapolis MN in 1970 where they both worked at North Memorial Medical Center. While in Minneapolis their two daughters were born. Susan Lynn in 1972 and just 11 months later Paula Joan in 1973. They moved back to Bismarck in 1975, and he again worked for Wally Fossum Construction. He started working for Community Action in 1986, a job he truly enjoyed and made many great friends while working there and retired from in 2012. He enjoyed sausage making, gardening and camping and fishing with his grandsons. Those boys were the light of his life! Enjoying many evening games of Rummy and Pinochle. 

He is survived by his daughter, Susan and son-in-law Leon Bauer, Baldwin, ND and three grandsons Shelby, Luke (Autum), Ryan Bauer; one sister, Betty Lou Berger, Miles City, MT; sister-in-law, Marlene Franklund and brother-in-law, Bernie (Micki) Stoltz.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years Carole Lacher; his daughter, Paula Lacher; parents, Joe and Elsie Lacher; mother and father-in-law, Rudy and Esther Stoltz; two brothers, Gordon Lacher and Lester Lacher; infant sister, Theresa Lacher; nephew, Darel Lacher; great niece, Jenna Lacher; brothers-in-law, Verlyn Berger and Dwight Franklund and sister-in-law, Gladys Lacher.

The family would like to thank Hospice of the Red River Valley and their many wonderful companionate and caring caregivers! Dad wanted to stay at home and be pain free and only because of you, was that possible!!