Gretchen Idell Hausmann was born on April 7, 1934 at the family farm home 4.5 SW of Fairfax, SD to Gus and Lizzie Kehn. She passed away peacefully on September 23, 2026 at the Good Samaritan Home in Atkinson, Nebraska at the age of 92 years old.

Gretchen was a loving caring wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many people! She will certainly be missed by all who knew of her wit, charm and conversations!

She graduated from Butte High School in 1952 and was married to Joe Hausmann in that same year at Camp Rucker, Alabama, where Joe was stationed in the Army. To this union 4 children were born; Jerry, Gary, Terry and Tracy.

Throughout her life she was a hard worker, loved the rural life and always had a strong love for all animals, much like her father, Gus. Gretchen enjoyed her horses, especially her recently acquired buggy horse, Buster!

She served on the School Board at the Butte Public Schools for several years, including President of the Board. Her music skills were also obvious as she played organ for years at the Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Butte. She was also very talented at refinishing antique furniture in her “spare time”!

Gretchen was born, grew up and raised her children on the family farm. She used to tell her children that when she was younger, she would cry while carrying feed to the cattle and hogs because they would knock her down and she would spill the feed!

She is survived by her children: Jerry (Sharon) of Lincoln, NE, Gary (Renee) of Blair, NE, Terry (Donna) of Butte, NE and Tracy (Rex) of Bonesteel, SD, as well as 10 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and several other family members and friends! She is survived by a sister-in-law, Coreen Hausmann.

Gretchen was preceded in death by her parents Gus and Lizzie Kehn, her husband Joe, her brother Don Kehn, her sister Mary Ellen Peterson and special friend Glenn Burke and 4 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 10:30 AM at the City Hall in Fairfax, SD. Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery, Fairfax, SD. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the hall.