Gene D. Patterson died on April 15, 2015 at the Rapid City Regional Emergency Hospital. He was 88 years old. Visitation: Friday, April 24th from 5-7 pm at Osheim Funeral Home, 2700 Jackson Blvd, Rapid City. Funeral Services: Saturday, April 25th at 1 pm in Kadoka at the Kadoka Presbyterian Church. Gene was born on September 15, 1926 in Page City, Kansas to Bird J. Patterson and Nellie M. (Letellier) Patterson. He was the oldest of three children. Gene recalled the days of the dust bowl like it was yesterday; His family moved to Palisades, Colorado where he spent his youth picking cherries and peaches during the depression. In his teenage years, his family moved to White River, SD where he graduated from high school. Gene joined the U.S. Army, but was never called to serve outside the U.S. Gene was united in marriage to his one and only sweetheart, Maxine Florence Debauche on August 15, 1947, raising their large family of nine children in Kadoka. Gene worked with his father where they owned and operated the Patterson Supply Hardware Store, a propane business, the Studebaker dealership, and Allis Chalmers/Minneapolis Moline Implement dealership. Gene, Maxine and their children also operated two motels, a gas station, campground, and the Star Drive-In until 1968 when Gene sold all the businesses and moved his family to Rapid City. Gene operated the Enco gas station, but within a short time sold it, and opened Patterson's Supply. Maxine opened her shoe store called Mac's Shoe Store. In 1972, the flood demolished both stores. That didn't stop Gene. He re-opened Patterson's Auto Supply on Sturgis Road, but made his final destination to Piedmont where Gene owned and ran Patterson's Farm Equipment until his retirement. In 2011 Gene retired after Maxine passed away. Dad loved his caregivers Cheryl, Janice & Nadine from PeopleCare that saw him each and every day. For the past four years, Gene would put on his cowboy hat and set outside in his old chair enjoying the sunshine. Neighbors driving by looked forward to seeing him, as he became a cherished part of the neighborhood he lived in for 47 years. His life wasn't easy, and he had some very heartfelt and hard times. Since childhood Gene worked very hard, and would say "when you love what you do it isn't work. I didn't work a day in my life". He taught all of his children the same work ethics, to stand on their own two feet, and bragged about his large family. His legacy will live on with great pride and love. Survivors include 4 daughters: Connie (James) Meyerring of Lone Jack, MO; Carol (Randy) McKee, Daphne Bickett and Robin Patterson all of Rapid City, and 4 sons: Terry (Marilyn) Patterson of Pierre, SD; Dennis (Brandie) Patterson of Dennison TX, Michael (Sharon) Patterson of Monument CO, Jeffrey (Yvonne) Patterson of Lander WY, and 1 brother Jerry Patterson of Phillip SD. Twenty four grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Marilyn Patterson Root, wife Maxine, daughter Margo, granddaughter Barbara Patterson Sipala, and great grandson Ryder Vroman.