Patrick Keefe

On August 9, 2019, Patrick Kenneth Keefe followed his Shepherd, the Lord our God. He walked through the valley of the shadow of death, and had no fear of evil, for he knew that the Lord was with him. Goodness and mercy have followed him all of the days of his life. He made the trip and will dwell there in the house of the Lord forever. We know he made it and is with so many of those who have gone before him.

Celebration of life services was held at the First United Methodist Church, 629 Kansas City St, Rapid City, SD, on August 14, 2019 at 11:00. Viewing will be for one hour before the service.  The family requests casual dress for the service.  Pat did not like to wear a suit, and would not wish to have others wear one on his behalf.

Graveside services was held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 15, 2019, at the Faulkton Cemetery, Faulkton, SD.

Patrick was born on May 18, 1933, in Faulkton, South Dakota, to Ida Christensen, and Kenneth Keefe. He grew up mostly on a farm near Seneca, SD. He attended grade school near Seneca and went to High School in Faulkton.

In about 1944, when times were difficult because of the war, Pat’s dad was able to purchase a new John Deere model A tractor, which Pat was entrusted to drive from Faulkton to the farm. Pat was already a worker at the age of 11, and his dad needed him to have the tools to help on the farm. Pat liked the John Deere and used it often, but confided in us near the end that he, “Liked the International Harvester model H tractor better... because it would go faster!  The John Deere would only go 11 miles an hour, but the H would do 18!”

Living in a farming community, one highlight was the International Harvester show that came to town periodically. In 1949, Pat asked a young lady to go with him to the show. Darlene Holmberg, whom he had met at school, agreed to go with Pat to that event for their first date. Pat told us in his final days that he still remembers how afraid he was of Darlene’s dad Ed. It all worked out for the best, and as they continued dating, Ed figured out what a fine young man Pat was. He wore out the road, and his pickup, between Seneca and Faulkton, visiting Darlene most every night.

After graduating high school in 1951, Pat worked construction for a while and continued seeing Darlene. When Darlene graduated in 1952, they made plans for the rest of their lives. On November 7, 1952, they were married in Faulkton, SD. Up and down the many roads they went together, going to Minneapolis for a honeymoon, and soon to Georgia and then New Jersey for a couple years while Pat served his country in the United States Army, Signal Corp.

After the Army they moved back to South Dakota and lived in the area around Seneca and Faulkton.

Dad had various jobs, serviced televisions, installed antennas, worked on cars and as a parts man for the John Deere dealer.

In 1962, Pat and Darlene moved to Rapid City. He spent most of the rest of his 38+ career working as a repairman and routeman for Black Hills Novelty Company. Pat and Darlene moved to Deadwood for a couple years, before transferring back to Rapid City in 1976. They resided in the same house in south Rapid for the rest of Pat’s life.

In 1964, Pat’s life changed with the arrival of his son, Wayne. He now had two people to care for, and he adapted to this with easy and grace.

Pat retired in about 2000, but continued to keep busy, taking care of Darlene and all the small things in life that they had put together. He always enjoyed being outside, tinkering with things in the garage, helping his son, his grandkids and his great grandkids. Pat was the kind of grandfather who would work to connect the water heater to an outside faucet, just so he could fill the plastic swimming pool with warm water for his grandkids. He would tie a wagon handle to the seat of a tricycle, so grand kids could pull it around the yard. Even when his body was failing, he still would get down on the ground to show his great grandkids how a dump bed wagon worked and to take them for a ride around the yard in it. Pat taught them how to camp, to enjoy breakfast made outside, to hunt and to consume that which was taken, to handle weapons safely and accurately, to fish for the many fish that went back into the lake, and to camp in the wintertime with snowmobiles to ride. He loved to play cards, mainly Whist, and he was always patient and understanding with people as he taught them to play. Pat was a fierce defender of those who were not able to defend themselves. He was very patriotic and supported those that chose to defend our nation and the constitution. He was quiet and most times he sat back and took things in. But because of this, when he did speak, people listened!

Pat normally smiled with enjoyment when taking care of the lawn on his John Deere lawn tractor. Even through the very difficult times in the weeks preceding his death, he continued to run the tractor right up until 2 weeks before he left us. Even when he had said he didn’t think he was able to help, we found him grabbing his cane, making his way to the garage, getting on the John Deere, strapped the cane on, and he was right out there running the tractor with the precision of the young man he used to be back on the farm.

Pat was always known to carry a roll of Lifesavers candy in his shirt pocket. He would give one to his grandkids often, and this became known to even very young grandkids as “candy pocket.”  Pat said he got this from his grandpa, Lorenz Christianson, who did this with Walnetto candies.

Pat was always very concerned about others and had a steadfast love and faith in the Lord. He loved all his family and had respect for those who went before him. Pat was proceeded in death by his mother and father, his brother Wallace, brother Dale, and sister Bonnie.

Pat is survived by his wife of 66 years, Darlene Keefe of Rapid City, SD; son Wayne (Melinda) Keefe of Rapid City, SD; brother Richard (Bert Allen) Keefe of Boise, ID; brother Dean (Lynn) Keefe of Burke, VA; granddaughter Laura Johnson of Piedmont, SD; grandson Marshall (Andrea) Keefe of Rapid City, SD; granddaughter Erika Akers of Lincoln, NE; granddaughter Britney Akers of Joint Base McCord, WA; and great grandkids Colter and Kenleigh Johnson of Piedmont, SD.

Near the end of his life, Pat had times of great clarity and used those times to express his feelings of love and thankfulness to those around him. He wanted everyone in his family to know how much he truly appreciated everything they had all given and done for him throughout his life. He knew his time was short, he didn’t want to leave us, but was OK going to be with God. In the end, he even taught us all how to die with dignity and peace.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a memorial please be given to the Regional Health Hospice House at 224 Elk Street, Rapid City, SD 57701. The love and care Pat received by the nurses and staff was beyond exceptional, and they deserve credit for doing the Lord’s work.