Patrick McCarthy was born September 7, 1925 at Burke, South Dakota to Dennis and Rose (Kercher) McCarthy.

Pat was the youngest of twelve children and grew up on the family farm southwest of Burke, South Dakota. He graduated from Burke High School in 1943. Pat was united in marriage to Vera Tolstedt, his high school sweetheart, on September 9, 1944. They had two children.

Pat spent his entire life in the Burke/Gregory communities, where he was involved in ranching and employment with the Farmers Union Co-op, the TSC store and bus driver for the Gregory School system. He always made time to help family members and friends in need. A true cowboy at heart, Pat never officially retired. Even when hospitalized, he continued to talk about his passion - ranching.

Pat died April 9, 2005, at the Burke Community Memorial Hospital. He was 79 years, 7 months and 3 days of age.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Minnie and Anna; and six brothers: John, Bill, Dan, Alfred, Donald, Joe and Michael.

Pat is survived by his wife, Vera of Gregory, SD; son Dennis (Kay) McCarthy of Colorado Springs, CO; and daughter, Diane Fisher of Rapid City, SD; one brother, Francis (Velma) McCarthy of Burke, SD; one sister, Mary (Virgil) Hill of Burke, SD. Surviving grandchildren are Paul (Orla OCallaghan) McCarthy of Pueblo, CO; Brian (Shelly) McCarthy of Cary, IL; Jesse Fischer of Rapid City, SD; and Erin (Weston) Cole of Rapid City, SD; Great-grandchildren are Aidan Patrick and Keira Leah McCarthy of Cary, IL and Tevyn Olivia Cole of Rapid City, SD.

Happy Trails to you!



Funeral services, will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2005 at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke, SD. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke.