Rapid City, Patton T. "Pat" Burke, passed away peacefully, Saturday, May 7, 2016 at the Rapid City Regional Auxiliary Hospice House.

Pat was born November 15, 1929 to William Thomas and Gladys (Cox) Burke in Madrid, New Mexico, the youngest of six children. At the age of 2, his father was killed in a coal mine explosion, so his mother and aunt brought the family back to Tennessee by train. "Pete", as the family called him, was raised in Shawnee, TN. He joined the military in 1948 and was stationed at Rapid City Army Air Base, now known as Ellsworth AFB. Here he met the love of his life, Lila Skog, and they were married January 1, 1949. They had one daughter, Linda. While stationed at Ellsworth, Pat had the privilege of being a flag bearer at the funeral of General Ellsworth. While in the Air Force, he was stationed in Japan, the Azores and twice in England. The second trip to England in 1964 also included Lila and Linda. Pat retired at Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina in 1968 at which time they returned to Rapid City. Pat drove truck for Gibson's and worked at Cochran's Mobile Station. In 1970, Pat was hired as a Pennington County Deputy Sheriff. He was instrumental in designing the patches that the Sheriff's office still uses. He was also involved in the 1972 flood, having lost his own home, cars and patrol car. The family loved to listen to the stories he and other deputies would tell of their many experiences. If only we had a tape recorder, we could have written a book! He retired in 1991 as a lieutenant. Pat was also known for his great barbeques and the 4tth of July parties.

He is survived by his daughter, Linda Lauziere, Rapid City, his sister, Ruby Nicholson, Dundee, MI and many nieces nephews and great friends.

Pat was preceded in death by his wife, Lila, granddaughter, Brenda, parents; William and Gladys Burke, his brothers; Harry, Jim, and Bud, his sister, Leatrice Alexander and nephew Jeff Alexander.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the nurses and aides at the Hospice House for their great care they gave Pat in his last days.

A memorial has been established.

A visitation will be held from 5:00pm until 7:00pm on Monday, May 16, 2016 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, May 17 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Wilbur Holz officiating. Interment will be at Black Hills National with military honors by the Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard.