[Diana in Wisconsin]

First of all, sorry about your friend! Prayers up!

Define ‘gopher.’ Are they the skinny Pocket Gophers with the stripes on their back that drill holes straight down in the lawn, or the BIG gophers, akin to woodchucks?

A liquid repellent should work (somewhat) for both. You can make it yourself:

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/make-animal-repellent-out-hot-peppers-81549.html

Other deterrents to gophers:

https://www.gardendesign.com/how-to/gophers.html

I had many pocket gophers in my lawn at my other farm. My Lab’s favorite pastime was for me to pour water down their holes, the gopher pops up and she’d finish them off.

[AFB-XYZ]

Define ‘gopher.’ Are they the skinny Pocket Gophers with the stripes on their back that drill holes straight down in the lawn, or the BIG gophers, akin to woodchucks?

I've only seen them once, in another part of my yard. It was fairly large, and as far as I could tell, its fur was solid brown, no stripes or markings. The mounds I see are pretty large as well.

Many thanks for the links! Best, AFB-XYZ