Patricia "Patty" Stoddard

Patricia JoAnne Burke was born in White River, South Dakota, on April 21, 1926, to  Russell Edward and Myrtle Mae (Marshall) Burke.  Patty attended schools at St. Martin's Academy, Sturgis, South Dakota public schools and White River schools.

In 1942, Patty was chosen Miss South Dakota V Girl and with the state title won a trip to Omaha, Nebraska, where she was chosen first runner-up of all the midwestern states.

Patricia was united in marriage to Harold K. Stoddard, Sr., by Father Berning at Belvidere, South Dakota, and to this union was born two sons, Harold K. Stoddard, Jr. of Rapid City and Joseph Edward of Norris, South Dakota.

Harold and Patty lived on their ranch north of Norris for several years and moved to Rapid City in 1950 where their sons attended school.  While living in Rapid City, Patty kept busy being a Scout mother and with PTA programs.  She worked for the Don Hall's at the Esquire Club for several years and later managed the Millenary Department at Donaldson's Department Store.

In 1960 the family moved back to the family ranch north of Norris, where Joe and family still reside.  Keith now lives in Rapid City.

Patty was State President of the South Dakota Peace Officers Auxiliary in 1960 and 1961.  She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Norris, where she had served as a trustee, and was a member of the Altar Society where she held all offices at different times.  She was a long-time member of the Norris Extension Club, of which she held many offices.  Patty was a member of the Long Valley Birthday Club.  Patty was also instrumental in organizing the Norris Blue Bells CowBelles group and the Jackson County CowBelles.  She was also a member of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.

Patty worked at the Kadoka Memorial Hospital and for Dr. L.P. Swisher for several years.

After moving to Kadoka in 1984, Patty was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, where she served as bookkeeper.  Patty served on the Parish Council, of which she was treasurer.  As a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, she served as vice chairman and treasurer of this group.

Patty was a board member of the Kadoka Nursing Home Association and Chairman of the Tenants Organization of the Gateway I and II Apartments, where she resided.  Patty was a member of the Nursing Home Auxiliary.  She was a member of the Mended Hearts Chapter #102 of Rapid City.  One of her favorite pastimes was a craft club she belonged to in Kadoka.  Patty loved to garden and crochet.

Patty became a member of the Tri-County Senior Citizens and became interested in the State Senior Citizens Group.  After attending the State Conferences she was elected Secretary of the South Dakota Association of Senior Citizens in 1992.  In 1993 Patty was elected as State President of the South Dakota Association of Senior Citizens at Rapid City.  Patty was also honored as one of the Senior Citizens of the Year at this time for her endeavors in helping seniors of the area.

She leaves two sons, Keith, of Rapid City, and Joseph and his wife, Linda, of Norris; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Bill Burke of Montessano, Washington; three half-sisters and two half-brothers, Frances Valine, James Valine, Cricket Goss and Clarissa Russell, all of Sacramento, California, and Janet Burtzlaff of Friends Wood, Texas.

A memorial is established to the Kadoka Care Center of the Kadoka Ambulance Fund.

Mass of Christian Burial
Tuesday, January 7, 1997
10:00 a.m.
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Kadoka, South Dakota

Con-Celebrants
Father Bob Baden
Deacon Gene Heckathorne

Lector
Mary Maher

Music
JoAnne Stilwell - Organist
Terry Karrels - Vocalist

Ushers
Jim Kujawa - Bruce Berry

Active Pallbearers
David Letellier - Jim Herber
John Bauman - Dan VanderMay
Steve Williams - Kevin Maher

Honorary Pallbearers
All relatives and friends in attendance

Interment
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota

Service Details

Mass of Christian Burial
Tuesday, January 7, 1997
10:00 a.m.
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka