Patricia Waechter, 85
January 8, 1940 - April 15, 2025
Patricia Waechter, 85, of Montrose passed away on April 15, 2025 at her home surrounded by her loving children. Memorial mass will begin at 10:30 am on Wednesday, April 23 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Montrose. Inurnment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 6 – 7 pm with a prayer service and rosary to begin at 7 pm at the church.
Patricia Kuyper was born on January 8, 1940 in Salem, SD to Jacob and Margaret (Donelan) Kuyper. She graduated from Montrose High School. Pat married James Waechter on June 8, 1959 at St. Patrick’s in Montrose. She raised her children and then attended and graduated with a cosmetology degree from Stewart’s School in Sioux Falls. She ran her hair salon, Kountry Kurler, out of her home for many years, before moving into town and opening a shop there. After she decided to close her hair salon, she went to work in Sioux Falls at Citibank in their daycare. While working at the daycare, she realized working with the young kids in daycare brought her a lot of joy. So when she decided to retire from Citibank, she walked across the street and began running the after school program in Montrose, making her own mark on the program.
Pat was a devoted member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, where she was active in the Catholic Daughters and Altar Society. Later in life, Pat enjoyed playing cards uptown with friends, as well as gatherings at people’s houses for game nights. She cared deeply about the community of Montrose and volunteered her time whenever there was need that she could help fill.
Pat is survived by: her children, Susanne (Roger) Sanders of Gilbert, AZ, Mark Waechter of Denver, CO, and Brad (Tasha) Waechter of Mobridge, SD; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister, JoAn Morrison; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two grandchildren, Justin and Will Sanders, sister, Donnadell Wright and two brothers, John “Jack” and James Kuyper.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be donated to a charity of Pat’s choice.
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