Funeral services for Patricia "Pat" Peterson, age 59, of Lemmon, SD will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at the New Hope Worship Center in Lemmon. Pastor Dan Lindeman will officiate with burial in the Greenhill Cemetery at Lemmon.


Visitation will be held on Monday, November 7, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. followed by a family service at 6:30 p.m., all at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon.


Patricia Jean (Wileman) Peterson was born to Boyd E. Wileman and Ruth Adeline (Hawkinson) Wileman on February 7th, 1952 in Pierre, SD. She was raised along with her two sisters in the Minneapolis, MN area. It was there that she grew learned to play the piano and flute, serving as Drum Major for Patrick Henry High School, graduating in 1970. She attended Northwest Bible College in Minot, ND.


On October 1, 1971 she married the love of her life, Dennis Alvin Peterson. After they married, they made their home on the family farm in Lemmon, SD where they lived life, together working through life's joys and challenges. Pat was blessed with four children: Jeffrey Scott, Darren Dennis, Deanna Lynn, and one baby born into the arms of Jesus. Pat did a fantastic job as a Godly mother, instilling tremendous values, principles and love in her children. The joy of Pat's heart was her grandbabies. While she so enjoyed mothering, she often said "I was born to be a grandma!"


Pat enjoyed gardening as well as preserving food by canning and freezing. She became proficient in the kitchen and enjoyed making delicious food for her family, friends, and guests. Hospitality was one of Pat's strongest gifts. It seemed there were always people stopping by the farm home. Everyone felt welcome in Pat's kitchen!


Pat had a great love for music. She was involved in the music ministry at her church, often playing piano for the choir and worship team. Her very favorite musical job was teaching piano. She felt as if this was her own unique way of ministering the gospel outside of her involvement in church and her family.


Pat's ultimate desire was to live a life pleasing to her Savior, friend and confidant, Jesus Christ. She was faithful to the Lord and did her best to live an example that was pleasing to Him. She truly exemplified the role of a Proverbs 31 woman!


Pat was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer on September 30th, 2011. Due to an inoperable and untreatable tumor, Pat decided to live out her days enjoying her family and friends. Within a period of just 5 short weeks, early on the morning of Friday, November 4, 2011 she entered into her eternal reward. She is now celebrating with Jesus and dancing on streets of gold.


She is survived by her husband, Dennis Peterson, Lemmon, SD; three children, Jeffrey (Jodi) Peterson of West Valley City, UT, Darren (Summer) Peterson of Lemmon, SD, Deanna (Brian) McDaniel of Rapid City, SD; her mother, Ruth Wileman of Rapid City, SD; her sisters Shirley (Butch) Conrad of Rapid City, SD, Joyce (Norm) Rolph of Tacoma, WA; 8 grandchildren, as well as a large extended family.


Pat was preceded in death by her father, Boyd E. Wileman; a baby and four grandbabies lost in miscarriage.