Patrick Dwain Conner
October 16, 1948 ~ December 27, 2022

Patrick D. Conner, 74, Sioux Falls, died December 27, 2022, in Sioux Falls, SD, after a lengthy
illness.
A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at Pine Lawn Memorial Park, Rapid City. A gathering to remember Patrick will take place at Canyon Lake Park Shelter #2, from 1:00~3:00 PM.
Patrick Dwain Conner was born on October 16, 1948, in Osmond, Nebraska. He lived in Bloomfield, NE, until he, his parents, and his four siblings moved to Rapid City in the mid-1950s.
Patrick attended South Junior HS and graduated from Central High School in Rapid City. He attended Santa Fe College in New Mexico and Black Hills State College. Patrick served in the Navy for 6 years at Chelsea Naval Hospital in Boston and Bethesda, MD, and in Philadelphia as an ENT Tech. Patrick spent an almost 25-year career at Fort Meade VA Hospital in Sturgis as a Nurse Assistant giving compassionate care to fellow veterans.
Patrick was a collector of classic (and not so classic cars), especially Ford Mustangs. He had a lifetime interest in the study of history, which he pursued in college and in avid personal research. His family history included a grandmother who was adopted when she came across from New York City, on the Orphan Train, to Nebraska, in the late 1890s. He furthered this knowledge of history through his travels throughout the United States and trips to Europe.
Patrick was a loyal fan of Jim Plunkett before he was a football success, including attending several New England Patriots games in their early struggling years. He was a Bob Dylan fan enjoying many live concerts over the years. Patrick dabbled in poetry, music lyrics, and jingles.
Patrick had such a fondness for animals. He smiled widely when his niece and her family brought their Newfoundland, Duke, to visit and when he visited his nephew’s family and pets.
For the last four years, Patrick lived at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls. The residents, staff, and caretakers were like extended family members to him. He truly felt their openly invested care. They thanked us for sharing him with them and we thank them for truly loving him so well, and of course, helping him care for his two special feline roommates.
We are also thankful to the Ascera Care team for their special care for him in the last several months.
Patrick had many close friendships in Rapid City and beyond. Patrick was an intelligent, gracious gentleman who was witty, kind, generous, and always had that sly smile. He was a man of quiet but strong faith.
Patrick grew up in a family that was held together by a strong mother, whom he admired greatly. He is survived by his brothers, Kerry (Theresa), and Kevin, both of Rapid City; one sister, Beth (Jack) Babb, Sioux Falls; two step-sisters, Dianne (Rocky) Volker, (children, Ryan, Angela, and Mallory) Rapid City, and JoAnne (Stephen) Schleif, Harlingen, TX; one aunt, Loa Reynolds, Sun City, AZ; two nieces, Christen Babb, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Katherine Brown (children, Mary Elizabeth, Natalie, and Benjamin), Sioux Falls; and two nephews, John (Abbie) Babb, (son, Charlie), Sioux Falls, and Aaron (Tanya) Babb, Burney, CA.
Patrick was preceded in death by his father, Dwain Conner; mother, Bette Conner Ellis; stepfather, Joseph Ellis; brother, Kelly Conner; nephew, Kelsey Conner; and step-brother, Edward Ellis.