Patricia J. “Pat” Willard of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Friday, February 21, 2025 at the Kadoka Nursing Home at the age of 99.
A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025 at the Belvidere Community Hall.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at the Belvidere Community Church.
Interment will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Kadoka.
Patricia “Pat” J. (Estes) Willard, affectionately known as “Crazy Grandma” by her beloved grandchildren, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. Born on December 27, 1925, on her great-grandfather’s ranch near Belvidere, South Dakota, she was the daughter of David B. and Myrtle (Hutton) Estes. Growing up on the family ranch, Pat had a wonderful childhood and was the apple of her great grandfather “Corny” Utterback eye. Pat graduated in 1944 as the sole graduate of Belvidere High School, she was therefore apart of the Kadoka High School commencement. She furthered her studies at Black Hills State University, earning her teaching certificate and dedicating several years to educating students in western South Dakota where she was fondly remembered by many of her students.
She met her husband, Charles J. Willard, while teaching in Quinn South Dakota and he was teaching in Interior South Dakota. They were later married on December 3, 1950, in Keystone, South Dakota. Together, they made their home in Pukwana for a year before relocating to Eagle Butte, where they spent 11 wonderful years. Their journey continued in Timberlake until their retirement brought them back to Belvidere in 1976. In 1987, they moved to Sturgis for a year before settling in Kadoka in 1988. After Charles’s passing on March 26, 1989, Pat continued to live in Kadoka where she enjoyed spending time with her grandkids and friends that lived close by. Later Pat decided to move to the Senchel in Philip and later resided in assisted living there before moving to the Kadoka Nursing Home where a new family of caretakers emerged and became very dear to her and her children.
A devoted member of the Belvidere Church and the Evergreen Chapter of the Eastern Star of Kadoka, Pat held a special place in the hearts of her community. She is survived by her son, Charles J Willard and his wife Merry of Belvidere, South Dakota; three daughters, Janelle Schweitzer and her husband Thomas of Castle Rock, Colorado, Judith Bauman and her husband John of Long Valley, South Dakota, and Jacqueline Fortin and her husband Tom of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Pat was also a proud grandmother of 13 and a great-grandmother to 26, along with a host of other relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.
Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Willard; her daughter, Suzanne Willard; her parents David B and Myrtle Estes; her brother, James E. Estes; her stepdaughter, Kaye Roehrick, and her husband Dwayne of Pavilion, Wyoming; and her great granddaughter Aubrey Chambers.
Pat will be remembered for her vibrant spirit and unwavering love for her family. Her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those she touched.
