Mildred Elizabeth (Gaudig) Reichert, longtime area resident, age 92, died at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in New Underwood, SD, on August 19, 2007, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Mildred was born to John and Mabel (Holmes) Gaudig on November 24, 1914, on the family farm in Hand County, South Dakota. She went to Lincoln Elementary School, and attended high school in Miller, SD, graduating in 1932. She was a member of the National Honor Society.

She worked for about three years, then applied for and received a student loan from the P.E.O. She attended Spearfish Normal School (now Black Hills State University). In 1936, she received her certificate to teach school, and taught at the Doyle School in Meade County. She subsequently taught the Herford School, and the Lodge School, where she had 13 students in seven grades.

June 1, 1939, she married Paul P. Reichert, and moved to his ranch near Hay Draw. They lived on the Reichert Homestead until 1958, when they moved four miles southeast and built a new home and ranch buildings. They operated the ranch until Paul's ill health forced him to retire.
Mildred lived on the ranch until June 1996, when she moved to an apartment in Sturgis. In July 2001, she moved to Sunny Haven Apartments in New Underwood. She was admitted to Good Samaritan Nursing Home in June of 2003.

Mildred was a dedicated teacher, and following her marriage, kept her teaching certificate active by taking extension courses and attending summer school. She subsequently taught the following rural Meade County Schools: The Reichert School, Hope School, Boneita School, Alkali School, and the Brehm School. She retired from teaching in 1965 to work full time on the ranch with Paul.

She was an avid gardener, raising beautiful flowers and abundant vegetable gardens, and canning or freezing the produce. In addition, she and Paul planted and cultivated thousands of trees.

She was active in the community, and was a member of the Hereford Sewing Circle, ABC Community Club, Farmers Union, and the First Presbyterian Church. She served in various offices of the local telephone company, the election board, and Boneita Springs Church.

Survivors include her children, Gene Reichert, Billings, MT, and Judy (Wayne) Bundorf, Henderson, NV; two grandchildren, DeLynn Willis and Monte (Loni) Reichert, and five great-grandchildren, Marissa, Lacey, and Radley Reichert, and Jesse and Sadie Willis, all of New Underwood. In addition, she is survived by two sisters, Ethel Palmer, Rapid City, and Elaine Huisman, Miller, SD; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Hugh and Connie Reichert; and special friend, Joan Racicky. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul in 1992; her parents; two brothers, Elbert and Lester Gaudig; and two sisters, Doris Corrin and Ruth Brennan.

Funeral services will be Thursday, August 23, 2007, at First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis with Rev. Harold Delbridge officiating. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery.