Terry Lacher

Terry Jerome Lacher passed away at the age of 60 on Friday February 26th, 2021 at home in Swift Current, Saskatchewan with his family by his side.  

Terry J. Lacher was born to Rose and Gabe Lacher on February 9th, 1961 in Leader, SK. He spent the first three years of his life on the family farm near Richmound, Sk. as the youngest of six children. In 1964 the Lacher family relocated to Swift Current where Terry would sit on the front steps of their new house asking to go back home to the farm. Terry started his education in the Catholic school system and later the Swift Current Comprehensive High School.           

In his schooling years, Terry found great enjoyment playing lacrosse, bowling, ball, and hockey as a goalie. He also spent time with the Swift Current Cadets and learning Karate. Some of his first jobs included being a bag boy at the central CO-OP and doing yard maintenance around town. In his younger years he was known to be stubborn with his choice of food. On more than one occasion his siblings recall Terry sleeping face first in his plate.

Terry’s lifelong career in the oil field began with Gabe’s Oilfield Services under the mentorship of his father, which later transitioned into partnership between Terry and his brother Brian. Later the oil field gained an experienced operator who’s work ethic and commitment saw him through numerous acquisitions, lay-offs, and restructuring dating back to Sask Oil, Wascana, CanOxy, Rennaisance, Husky, and his final employer Whitecap. Terry genuinely enjoyed his career; his work collogues were like his second family. Shop talk will confirm that Terry was well respected throughout the entirety of the oil industry, and that he always had the appreciation of his peers. During his battle with cancer Terry remained focused on his goal to have his work truck back on the driveway and make a return to work.

In Terry’s adult years he married Trudee, uniting their family of 2 children, Lacey Lacher and Nathan Zacharias. They later had one child together, Jessy-Lee Lacher. Family became priority number one. As a husband Terry was kind, caring and always supportive of Trudee’s over ambitions ideas, projects, and small business ventures, which led to a life dedicated to perpetual teamwork. For all the years that Terry’s wife Trudee was an entrepreneur, Terry took on new afterwork roles as handyman, janitor, mover, carpenter, sewer guy, mechanic and renovator. Terry was also an exceptionally proud and devoted Father that actively sought out how to participate and be involved with his kid’s activities. He joined karate as an older man to the delight of both Jessy and Terry’s sensei from 30 years prior, where he enjoyed weeknight training and tournaments with his son. As a Stepdad Terry’s efforts to take part saw no limitations, as he would often join road trips with Nathan’s hockey teams, take time off to go hunting (which included Nathan’s first Whitetail Deer), and even if it were just to take a poke at the local gophers.

Terry’s family commitments were wide-spread. He was a good son and favourite uncle. As a son, Terry would always lend a helping hand to keep up the family cabin, put up a fence, attend church events, remove wasp nests, and even man up and attend a Tom Jones concert for his mom. Terry was always a magnet to children, which included his many nieces and nephews. At times Uncle Terry could be found babysitting as many as 9 kids at a time without any complaints. Terry was honored and proud to have had the bride’s first dance with his special niece Jodi.

At the age of 21 Terry tried his hand at travel. He and his friend went down under to Australia where they purchased a station wagon and explored the vast country together on an extended vacation. Terry continued to travel, always being open and willing to try anything. Over the years he would take multiple trips to Mexico, and The Domincan Republic. One of the excursions even saw Terry, Jessy, and Trudee receiving their Open Water Diving certificate (with the forceful encouragement of Nathan, of course). His most recent trip after his initial brain surgery was down to his sister-& brother-in-law’s winter home in Arizona where he recouped in preparation for his many future treatments (enjoying it like he had not a care in the world).

Summers at Lake Pelletier Regional Park were a big part of the family’s summer pastime. Lake life began at the campgrounds, and then later at the Lacher Family Cabin (Lacher Beach). Activities would involve skiing, fishing, cards, sunflower seeds, slow pitch tournaments, no sunscreen and far too much sun.

In his later years Terry’s second love became his red Harley Davidson motorcycle and cruising with his buddies. Once a year they would take a 10-day bike trip to enjoy time with the boys. Some locations included Interior B.C., and many of the infamous biker destinations in the United States such as: Deadwood, North Dakota, and The West Coast of U.S.A. Terry’s buddies remember his carefree, laidback attitude which resulted in a relaxed pace, (SLOW) and an extended distance behind the crew. Surely there are many stories yet to surface from these epic journeys.

These characteristics will hit different for everyone, but if you’ve seen one, been there, or experienced them, you will know that they are memorable, interesting, funny, and all sculpted the man we all know today:

• “Muppet” was a nickname labeled by Terry’s friends because of his long lanky arms and the size of his large hands
• The Ride for Dad charity event always had Terry’s support
• Terry used to be horse owner
• Venezuela was Terry’s workplace country for a period of time  
• Yes, it was a girl’s beer, but Coors Light was his favorite
• His child dream was to be a drummer, but his music teacher said: “Hey kid you’re wasting your mom’s money!”
• Terry always strived for more production and efficiency at work as an operator
• After honing his goalie skills as a kid, he put them to the test again in the beer leagues
• Terry loved to dance. Whether it be at a bar, a wedding, work function, or in the kitchen, he often had a line-up of women waiting for their turn
• Unorthodox and absurd best describes Terrys technique when holding a baseball bat or golf club. He could hit both ways, but it was always a mystery shot
• Fast, cool, and old cards were all a fascination to Terry, certainly inspired by his older brothers’ early rides
• He was a master at juggling and putting on a show, even if it involved fruit in a grocery store
• Terry’s hat collection reached numbers large enough for a retail outlet
• Billy Ray Cyrus inspired Terry’s admiration for the “mullet”
• #1 fan for car number 17 at the Speedy Creek Raceway
• Terry loved to Ski on the mountain, or in the water
• Snakes, cats and bats had no place in Terry’s world
• Terry was the definition of a Good Samarian, helping anyone in need
• The color red meant everything
• You have probably seen one of Terry’s favorite T-shirts…more than once
• Whisky was NOT Terry’s friend
• Terry’s biggest fighting words were… NEVERMIND!
• If you didn’t know anyone that rode a unicycle; now you have
• Terry’s distinguished nose came from several breaks over the years involving a true passion of many situations
• He would whistle at Trudee, no matter what she looked like  
• Known for his silly ways and crazy comments, often ill timed and poorly fated LOL
• Terry and Jessy rebuilt a 1958 Ford Thunderbird
• Terry was a humble man

Terry treated life as a gift. He treasured and lived each moment. The nurses and doctors loved Terry’s company, and his positive attitude. This would be best captured by a cartoon that Terry posted at the Cancer lodge in Saskatoon where Charlie Brown says to Snoopy: “We only live once Snoopy.” Snoopy replies: “Wrong! We only die once. We live every day!” Terry kept his face to the sun and never looked back to the shadows. He truly spent his life to live, love and laugh.

Terry will be loved and missed by all. He is survived by: His wife Trudee Lacher; his two sons Jessy-Lee Lacher and Nathan Zacharias, and his daughter Lacey Carlson; his sister Judy Kress; brothers Gary Lacher (Shelley), Wayne Lacher (Suzie), Brian Lacher (Betty); his two grandchildren Clark and John Carlson; nieces, nephews and cousins, and to a far reaching extended family.

Predeceased by parents Rose and Gabe Lacher; his sister Brenda Hamilton and brother in-law John Hamilton, and his grandparents on both sides.

At Terry’s request there will be a celebration of life in the future. We will be sure to provide adequate notice so everyone who wants to can come together to live, love, and laugh the way Terry did, share memories, tell stories, and remember an amazing guy. As per Terry’s wishes, there will not be any formal funeral services held.

In lieu of flowers, and in support of a charity that Terry thought and spoke of each time he passed the Ronald McDonald house in Saskatoon during his treatments, donations can be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities Saskatchewan (RMHC-SK) would be appreciated. Further Information can be found at www.rmh.sk.ca or (306) 244-5700

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Terry Lacher, please visit our floral store.