Britton, SD: The funeral service for Ronald “Ron” Patterson will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 29, 2025 at First Lutheran Church of Britton. Pastor Lexy Carson will officiate the service. Burial will take place in the Britton Cemetery following the service.
A visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Olson Funeral Chapel of Britton, concluding with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service.
Ronald Charles Patterson was born January 30, 1943, to Esther (Witte) and Harold Patterson in Britton, SD. His family moved around to various rented farms in Marshall County until they bought the farm in Pleasant Valley Township. He started country school a year early and later would become the youngest member of the Britton Class of 1960. He played football, was involved in FFA and 4-H, and was active in Luther League. As he grew up, and throughout his life, his faith was important to him, being an active member of First Lutheran Church. Ron served on the council several times, as well as ushering, helping start Men of First group and lending his talents whenever possible.
After high school Ron held various jobs, helping on the farm led him to help other farmers and family friends. He also began working at the creamery (making ice cream), driving milk truck, school bus, and even digging graves by hand. During this time, he also learned to roller skate and would go roller skating at surrounding towns with buddies. He met his wife in the Pierpont gym doing just that, roller skating. He married Connie (Kemp) on July 14, 1963, and they celebrated 62 years together this past July. They began married life on the home farm before they bought and moved to a farm a few miles away, where they raised their three children. Family was important to him from 4-H activities to school events and playing games with his kids and grandchildren. Ron loved his large extended family making countless trips to Iowa and Oklahoma, as well as putting up whoever stopped by.
First and foremost, Ron was a farmer first with his father and later with his son. He was a great farmer and was given the Outstanding Young Farmer Award in 1969, as well as competing and winning the National Wheat Challenge which paid off with a trip to France. Off the farm he served on the Crop Improvement Board, local Conservation Board, James Valley Two-cylinder club, and as a 4H leader. On a cold January day in 1969 he attended a meeting in the IOOF hall that would shape the course of his service to his community through the Upper Crow Creek Watershed where he served for over 40 years.
Roller skating came back into the picture when Ron and Connie built and operated Skate A Way just outside of Britton in the early 80’s. After closing the business, they turned it into a home, this wasn’t the only construction project he tackled over the years. Ron was very handy both with construction and equipment.
In the later part of his life, Ron faced the challenges of Parkinsons and cancer head on. He was one of the first participants in the Think Big program, and relied again on the program after cancer forced him to fight back for his mobility and independence. As Ron began to require more help, he made many friends, that helped him both through hospice and eventually his move to Sun Dial Manor.
Ron passed away Friday, August 22, 2025 at Sun Dial Manor in Bristol, SD at the age of 82.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Esther, an infant older brother, Harold, father and mother-in-law, Alvin and Colleen Kemp, brothers-in-law, Ed Burger and Leslie Jensen, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Ron is survived by his wife, Connie, children: Patricia (Mike) Eaton, Paula (Brad) Heitmann and Ryan (Tawna) Patterson.
Grandchildren: Joseph (Kaitlynn) Stowell, Megan Stowell, Rebecca Conard, Tyler Conard, Brody Heitmann, Katie (Brandon)Weiss-Heitmann, Kylie Heitmann, Brynlee Patterson, Bridger Patterson, Sophie Patterson, and Aleece Patterson. Great Grandchildren: Oliver Stowell and Nathaniel Stowell.
Sister, Luanne Jensen and sisters-in-laws, Ann (Richard) Blondo and Joni (Tom) Weir. Nephews, William (Jan) Berger, Donald (Janelle) Berger, Steven (Beth) Blondo, Zach Weir, AJ Weir and niece, Julie (Derek) Nelson. And numerous cousins.
Memorials preferred to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s – P.O. Box 5014 – Hagerstown, MD 21741 or First Lutheran Church – P.O. Box 150 – Britton, SD 57430.
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