Leo E. Patton, age 97, of Milesville, South Dakota, died on Friday, November 3, 2023 at the Scotchman Living Center in Philip.
Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. with a Christian Funeral Vigil beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 9, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip
Christian Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 10, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Christian Funeral Committal with military honors will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.
Leo was born to William “Bill” and Olga (Grotto) Patton on February 12, 1926, the first of twins, in Pierre, South Dakota. The family moved to the homestead when the twins were one year old. Leo attended grade school until 10th grade at the O’Neil School about a mile east of the homestead. He walked or rode horseback to school. Leo graduated from Philip High School in 1944. He joined the U.S. Navy for two years. After being honorably discharged he worked several jobs including assessing, teaching, but mostly ranching.
He was united in marriage to Joan Stephenson in 1954. In 1960 they moved to their present location on Plum Creek. They had a basement poured, CAPP homes put up a frame on top of the basement. They lived in the basement, for 10 years while completely finishing the house together. Together they raised eight children: Barb, Sharon, Carol, Linda, Cathy, Janet, Susan, and Bill.
Leo played baseball and later coached softball. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, hunting, and was extremely proud of roping calves in every decade of his life, including two calves when he was over 90 years old!
Leo was active in the Knights of Columbus and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors include his wife Joan Patton of Milesville; son Bill (Michelle) Patton of Eagan, MN; daughters, Barbara (Denny) Howe of Sioux Falls, Sharon (George) Kauffman of Colorado Springs, CO, Carol (Ralph Jr.) Kroetch of Philip, Linda (Jim) Stangle of Milesville, Janet Penland of Le Sueur, MN, and Susan (David) Jones of Le Sueur, MN; eighteen grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; son-in-law Bob (Lorrie) Knight; nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends.
Leo was preceded in death by his parents; twin brother Lyle Patton; infant brother John Patton; sister Rita Merrill; infant son Richard Patton; daughter Cathy Knight; and son-in-law Terry Penland.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
