Patrick Allen Fernen, 43, of Sturgis, SD, passed on to his eternal home on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at the Sturgis Regional Lippold Hospice Unit after a courageous year-long battle with cancer. Before passing, Pat expressed his appreciation for the love and support of his family, friends, and the community during his battle.

Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2007, at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis and one hour prior to services at Grunwald Auditoriam in Sturgis. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2007, at the Grunwald Auditorium located at RB Williams Junior High School with Pastor John Williamson officiating. Burial services will follow at the Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.

Pat was born September 13, 1963, in Rapid City, SD, to Larry and Mary Ann (Synders) Fernen. He grew up in Sturgis, graduating from Sturgis Brown High in 1981. He enjoyed high school athletics, participating in cross country, basketball, football and track, earning white letter honors and athlete of the year in 1981. Later he learned to love golf, hunting, and pool, which brought him hours of fun, laughter and lifetime friendships. Pat attended college in Marshall, MN, and the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. He returned to western South Dakota, where he was employed by the South Dakota Department of Transportation at Belle Fourche. In the early '90s, he joined the staff of Hills Vending in Sturgis as a Machine Technician. Pat was married to Susie Lehman in Sturgis on February 25, 1994. Together they had the pleasure of raising their daughter Taylor, now a sophomore at Brown High School.

Pat had many hobbies such as golfing, hunting, and billiards. He was an active supporter and coach for his daughter's many activities, including her softball and basketball teams. Pat was an avid supporter of youth athletics and the Sturgis Scoopers.

Survivors include his wife, Susie and daughter, Taylor, parents Larry and Mary Ann Fernen, Sturgis; one brother, Jeffrey L. Fernen, Sturgis; one sister, Kimberly A. Smith, and nephews Jason, Reace and Kyial Huber, Derick Fernen, Nicholas and Abby Lehmann and numerous other family members.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents and paternal grandmother. Susie and Taylor would also like to join Pat in expressing their appreciation for the overwhelming love and support of extended family, friends and community.

A memorial has been established for his daughter's post graduate studies.