Ann Roehrich

Ann Roehrich, age 92, of Milbank, SD, died on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at St. William’s Care Center.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 29, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Vigil beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Tuesday. Padré Dav’id Garza will celebrate the Mass and interment will be at St. Lawrence Cemetery in Milbank.

Loretta Ann (Perkins) Roehrich was born on May 20, 1932, in Toledo, OH. She was the sixth of eight children born to Frank Edward and Stella Ann (Geoffrion) Perkins. Loretta was baptized at St. Louis Catholic Church in Toledo on June 5, 1932.

Following graduation, Ann accepted a job with Ma Bell as a switchboard operator. During this time, she connected with the US Veterans pen pal program and soon she was writing to an Army soldier named Ed Roehrich.

Eventually Ed invited her to visit him and meet his family in San Diego, CA. Ann agreed and moved shortly thereafter.

Wedding bells chimed on June 25, 1955, when Edward Robert Roehrich and (Loretta) Ann Perkins exchanged vows at St. Didicus Church in San Diego. A baby boy, Charles Edward “Chuck”, was born to the couple in 1957. In 1960, they purchased Hartford Beach Resort on Big Stone Lake, SD, sight unseen.

The family continued to grow. Therese Ann “Terri” was born in 1963, followed by David Anton “Dave” in 1965. Niece, Cynthia Christine Suggs “Cindy” joined the family in 1966.

Ed and Ann worked hard at the resort, turning it into an “Ultra Modern Resort on Beautiful Big Stone Lake.” A second daughter, Christine Irene “Christy”, delighted them in 1975. They continued to own and operate the resort until they retired in 1984. The couple divorced about 10 years later, although they remained cordial and both came to family gatherings. Ann frequently visited Ed while he was residing in assisted living and then the nursing home.

Ann worked at a number of different jobs over the years, including Casey’s, Montage, and Schad’s Bakery. She made many friends along the way.

Ann loved to read, especially mysteries. She loved to crochet, and she could also knit. She made hundreds of cotton dish cloths and scrubbies for washing dishes. One of her favorite pastimes was crafting with plastic canvas, making magnets and holiday decorations. She loved to set up and sell at craft shows and did so at dozens of them over the years with her daughters and sister-in-law. There are many memories of playing cards and Kismet. She also volunteered at the church, washing and ironing the linens used at the altar for nearly 20 years.

Her Catholic faith meant everything to her. When she was no longer working, she made it a point to attend daily Mass as frequently as she could, always receiving Holy Communion. At St. William’s she was able to meet with Padré Dav’íd frequently for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. Receiving the Precious Body and Blood of Jesus was the highlight of each day. She was able to receive right up until one day before she died.

Each and every day she began by telling God, “Lord, thank you for this beautiful day and thank you for another day of living. If today is my day to go, I am ready.”

(Loretta) Ann Roehrich is survived by her loving children: Chuck (Loretta) Roehrich of Grand Island, NE; Terri (Tim) Weber of Milbank, SD; Dave (Peg) Roehrich of Hartford, SD; Christy Roehrich of Lincoln, NE and her devoted niece, Cindy (John) Greiner of Boise, ID. She leaves behind 11 wonderful grandchildren and eight delightful great-grandchildren. She has one remaining sibling, a brother, Donald Perkins of Santa Fe, NM; and a sister-in-law, Carol Chubb of Santee, CA.

Ann was preceded in death by Ed Roehrich; her parents, Frank and Stella Perkins; six siblings: Francis Perkins, Therese Lazette, John Perkins, Joan (Sr. Mary Estella) Perkins SND, Mary Schlachter, and Helen Chesney; and all but one of her brothers- and sisters-in-law.

May God grant you eternal rest and may perpetual light shine upon you, Mom.