Rapid City - James Burdette Fenenga (Burdette), 89, passed away on October 22, 2016, in Rapid City, South Dakota. He was born on November 17, 1926 in Dixon, South Dakota the younger brother of Leola and only son of James and Glenice Fenenga. He attended schools in Oacoma and Chamberlain South Dakota, graduating Chamberlain High School in 1944.

Burdette was a World War II Veteran who proudly served in the US Army. He was stationed in Hawaii and received an honorable discharge at the completion of his enlistment.

After returning from the war, Burdette met and courted his future bride Ila Mae Lien. They married on November 26, 1950 in Chamberlain, South Dakota and for the next 66 years built a loving life together, raising a family of five beautiful children. Burdette deeply loved his wife and family. He was very interested in the lives of his children and grandchildren, always providing them sage advice.

Burdette and Ila lived in Chamberlain until moving to Rapid City, South Dakota in 1956 where he began a successful 37-year career with the Sioux Falls Paper Company. During the ensuing years he developed a growing sales base for the company in the West River area of South Dakota. Burdette loved his job and was a great salesman. He eventually became the regional manager and first company salesman to achieve $1 million dollar annual sales revenue, a major feat of the day. He maintained and exceeded that level of sales until his retirement.

Burdette participated in the Boy Scout program and with his encouragement and support, all three sons earned the Eagle Scout award. The love for scouting also passed to a grandson, who too has attained Eagle Scout status.

Burdette dearly loved the Black Hills area of South Dakota and never tired of taking Sunday drives with his family, visitors or while hunting, to witness the beauty and splendor the area offered. He was an avid and enthusiastic sportsman who loved to hunt with his sons for deer, turkey and elk in the Hills. For many years he organized at least 45 trips to Canada with family and friends for hunting and fishing. On one such occasion, Burdette's hunt resulted in a Boone and Crockett bull moose. Another lifetime thrill occurred in Alaska when he landed a 110-pound halibut.

Burdette was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Rapid City.

Burdette is survived by his wife Ila Mae; children Mary (Joseph) Van Treeck, Judy Bieri (Randy Wing), Jim (Kay), Steven, Thomas (Gretchen): grandchildren Jonathan, Christen, Christopher, Derek, Sean, Tanner, Mark, Rachel, and Adam; six great grandchildren; his sister Leola (Fenenga) Gross; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives; and many, many friends.

Burdette was preceded in death by his father and mother.

Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 - 7:00 PM for Tuesday, October 25, at Osheim and Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11:30 AM Wednesday, October 26 th at Zion Lutheran Church with interment following at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Burdette's nine grandchildren will lovingly serve as Casket Bearers and Honorary Casket Bearers.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made in care of the Mayo Clinic/Pancreatic Cancer Research in Burdette's name.