Sophia Bichler, 80 of Deadwood, SD, passed away on March 11, 2018 at Golden Ridge Senior Living in Lead.

Sophia was born on October 17, 1937 to John Fuhrmann and Sofia (Breckner) Fuhrmann in Mettersdorf, Transylvania. The family moved from Transylvania to Lengau, Austria in 1944 due to the 2nd World War, and lived there for 8 years. She attended school in Lengau and Auerbach, Austria. In 1952, Sophia, her parents and her brother John, came to America when there was no longer hope of returning to their homeland because of the communist takeover of their property. The Bethel Lutheran Church of Lead sponsored their move and the family arrived in Deadwood, South Dakota on April 24, 1952 where Sophia attended Deadwood High School.

Sophia married Fred Bichler on June 28, 1955 and made their home in Deadwood. Together they had three children; Mary, David and Linda. Fred passed away in October 1996 and son David passed away in May 2007.

Sophia worked for F.L. Thorpe jewelry for 23 years in the casting department. Sophia also worked for the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce for 20 years. In August of 1999 she won the Yard of the Month Community Pride Award. She was the recipient of the Nell Perrigoue Ward (given to an individual who shows great community pride and gives of their time for the betterment of Deadwood) in 2002 and 2015. In September of 2015 she received a Governor's Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Hospitality and Customer Service. Sophia was a member of Preacher Smith Board of Directors, volunteered for the Days of 76, and was a Charter Member and current President of the Deadwood Hooch Club! Sophia also delivered Meals on Wheels for many years.

Sophia has been a member and actively involved with the Grace Lutheran Church in Deadwood since 1959. She has been on the Evangelical Board, Church Council, Finance Board and LWML. She is famous for preparing her German Potato Salad.

Hobbies were mostly gardening, shopping, collecting Hummel's/Precious Moments/ German Beer Steins, anything that involved embroidery, crafts, collecting recipes, and did we mention shopping? Sophia was wearing "Bling" before Bling was even popular. She also loved listening to Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdink.

Sophia is survived by her daughters; Mary (Larry) Bonrud, Spearfish; Larry's daughters, Pam, Lynne, Laurie and Paula and families; Linda (Don) Willis, Redding, CA; granddaughter, Briana (Wayne) Baker, Spearfish; half-sister, Margaret Schmidt, Windsor, Ontario, Canada and families; three sisters-in-law, daughter-in-law, cousins, and several nieces and nephews. Sophia was proceeded in death by her parents, husband Fred, son David, sister, Kathy "Katy", brothers John and Mike and half-brother, Johann.

The family would like to extend a special Thank You to Dr. Holloway and his staff, Prairie Hills Transit, and Scott Engel and his "Dream Team" staff at Golden Ridge Senior Living.


Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Friday, March 16, 2018 at Grace Lutheran Church in Deadwood. Funeral services will be at 9:30 AM on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the church. Memorials have been established for the David F. Bichler Endowment at SDSMT, Rapid City or the Grace Lutheran Church in Deadwood.

Arrangements are under the care of the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com