Wayne Everette Sauer, 89, of Lemmon, SD, passed away on Friday, March 27, 2026 at Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon.

Wayne Everette Sauer was born June 1, 1936, to Arthur and Clara Sauer in the house he grew up in on the Sauer farmstead on Paradise Flats south of Carson, ND.

He graduated from Elgin High School in 1954. He attended diesel mechanic school in Fargo, ND and after getting his certification, he decided to serve his country by joining the U.S. Army. He attended boot camp at Fort Ord in Monterey, CA. He served overseas in Seoul, Korea during the Korean Conflict.

After his discharge from the Army, he met Shirley Elaine Borah of McLaughlin, SD and on January 19, 1962, they were married in McLaughlin, SD. Their union lasted 49 years before Shirley passed away in 2011.

Wayne and Shirley resided in Carson, ND for 2 years before moving to McIntosh, SD. There, Wayne worked alongside his brother, Don, at the John Edinger Shop. Wayne was hired to be a diesel mechanic at McIntosh Implement, where he worked for many years. He took over the gas station along Highway 12 and named it Wayne's Repair. He was the most trustworthy and talented diesel mechanic around, and many people would travel from other areas to have their farm machinery fixed.

Wayne was involved with many civic duties, such as serving as city alderman and volunteer fireman for the rural fire department. He was also a member of the American Legion.

He was a dedicated man of God after studying the Bible and becoming baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1971. He served his church as a Sabbath school leader, head elder, and Dakota Conference constituent for many years. He read the Bible daily.

Wayne loved to fish and farm the land (it was in his blood). He farmed in his spare time and loved to grow sunflowers. He gardened up until last summer, when he still lived at his house in Mobridge. He grew cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, and squash.

He treasured spending time with his family, of which he loved each and every one of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Clara Sauer; his wife, Shirley; an infant son, John Wayne Sauer; an infant granddaughter, Kendra Lee Tomac; an infant great-grandson, Abel Silbernagel; his brother, Don Sauer; brother-in-law, Richard Pruitt; and sister-in-law, Virginia Sauer on the Sauer side. Brothers-in-law Bill Borah, Gene Borah, Dale McLain, and Dennis Laib, and sisters-in-law Allie Laib, Darlene McClain, and Joan Pusich on the Borah side.

Wayne is survived by his daughter, Annette Tomac; son-in-law, Charles Tomac (Mandan, ND), and their children Carter Tomac and Kaylin Kautzman (Austin Kautzman), and great-grandson Holden Kautzman.

He is also survived by his son, Craig Sauer (Bismarck, ND), and Craig's children Brady Sauer, Bailey Sauer, Molly Sauer, and Bodey Sauer.

Also, his daughter Stephanie Stoller (Ernie Wurtz) of McLaughlin, SD, and Stephanie's children Derek Sauer, Sheldon Sauer, Shantel Gabe (Charles Gabe), Ashlyn Iron Thunder, Chelsea Iron Thunder, and Layla Stoller.

Stephanie's grandchildren include Keegen Sauer, Kayson Sauer, Kaislee Sauer, Sterling Sauer, Channing Sauer, Hayzen Iron Thunder, Gunnar Gabe, Copelynn Gabe, Jax Hagen, and Luca Parisien.

Wayne's surviving siblings include his sister Audrey Pruitt; brothers Bob Sauer and Willard Sauer; sisters-in-law Gloria Sauer and Joyce Sauer; brother-in-law Elmer Pusich; and many nieces and nephews on both the Sauer and Borah sides of the family.

Wayne's memorial service will be held at Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD at 10:00 MT with Pastor Ron Wright officiating. A luncheon will take place at the Beehler Center in Lemmon, SD following the service.

A full military burial will take place at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD at 2:30 p.m. MT with Pastor Marveen Gentillon officiating.

Cards of condolences may be sent to Annette Tomac for the Wayne Sauer Family (1906 31st St NW, Mandan, ND 58554).