Gwen A. Fuhrmann

Our mom, Gwen Alice (Rausch) Fuhrmann, took her last breath on April 9th, 2026 at the age of 64, surrounded by her three daughters.

Graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at St Anthony Catholic Cemetery in Hoven, SD. Blue was Gwen's favorite color, in her honor please consider wearing something blue.

Gwen was born on November 20, 1961 to Harlan and Mary (Bertha) Rausch in Hoven, SD. Growing up on a farm, she loved being outdoors. She helped with chores; assisted with the family business (Rausch Herefords); cared for abandoned and sick wild animals; and loved riding horses, especially Sunny. She also participated in 4-H and cheerleading. She graduated from Hoven High School in 1980.

In 1981, Gwen married Allen Fuhrmann (from Onaka, SD), and they welcomed 3 daughters - Melanie, Stacy, and Becky. When Melanie was one year old, they moved from Hoven, SD to Watertown, SD. Mom worked primarily in the restaurant industry, and in 2017, her hard work was recognized with a Great Service Star Award from the State of South Dakota. Outside of work, Mom loved attending our school events and extracurricular activities. She also enjoyed gardening and adored her cats. Mom spent the last 16 years of her life in partnership with Steve Olson. They enjoyed watching sports together and were a divided Vikings/Packers household.

Unbeknownst to her until near the end, Mom was fighting a battle with breast cancer. She continued to work until she no longer could and spent her last days in the company of her daughters and grandchildren, who affectionately named her G.G. (Grandma Gwen).

Mom lived her life by the “Golden Rule” and valued hard work, humility, and rooting for the underdogs. She raised us to do the same.

Gwen’s memory lives on in the hearts of her 3 daughters: Melanie (Ernesto) Salgado, Stacy Fuhrmann, and Becky (Brian) Jensen; 5 grandchildren: Logan and Lucas Salgado and Avery, Hazel, and Henry Jensen; 6 siblings: Burt Rausch, Kevin Rausch, Dale Rausch, Dan Rausch, Jill [Rausch] Stack, and Beth [Rausch] Cox; and many members of a large extended family.

Mom joins her parents, Harlan and Mary (Bertha) Rausch, who passed before her.

Although Mom loved flowers, if you would like to make a donation, please consider supporting the All Women Count! program. Donations can be sent to:

Women’s Cancer Network

615 E. 4th St.

Pierre, SD 57501

A Gardener’s Wish

If I should die before the spring,
When flowers bloom and songbirds sing,
Remember me in gardens bright,
Where petals dance in golden light.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti

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