Eugene Patnoe

Eugene Patnoe, age 88, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at St. William’s Care Center.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at American Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Rev. Melanie Reiners will officiate, and interment will be at Milbank City Cemetery.

The service will be live streamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Eugene Francis Patnoe was born in Milbank, SD, on October 12, 1936, to Donald and Evelyn (Schulz) Patnoe. He lived his life dedicated to his family, his community, his church and his work. 

Eugene grew up in Milbank, graduating from Milbank High School with the Class of 1954. He continued his education at Nettleton Business College in Sioux Falls, SD.

On September 5, 1956, Eugene married his high school sweetheart, Donna Boerger, at the American Lutheran Church in Milbank. Together, they were blessed with three children. Eugene and Donna enjoyed hosting the family at their lake house for holidays and annual summer gatherings. Pontoon rides, with Eugene as Captain, were always the highlight of every summer.

Eugene began his work life with the State of South Dakota from 1956 to 1958. He then joined Hunter Granite, advancing from an accountant to leading the company as President. With the buyout of Hunter Granite by Coldspring Granite, Eugene and Donna moved to Cold Spring, MN, in 1985. Eugene completed 43 years of service in the granite business retiring in 2002. Known affectionately as the “Rock Man,” Eugene’s expertise in the granite industry was widely acknowledged. 

A man of faith and service, Eugene was a past president of the American Lutheran Church in Milbank. He enjoyed the great outdoors, especially hunting and fishing with family and friends. 

In April of 2024, Eugene returned to Milbank, where he found comfort in familiar surroundings.

Eugene is survived by his wife, Donna Patnoe of Milbank, SD; children: Randy (Robin) Patnoe of Milbank, SD; Jim (Jodi) Patnoe of Genoa City, WI; and Karalee Van Stralen of Cornelius, NC; six grandchildren: Heidi Van Stralen of Charlotte, NC; Hailey Van Stralen of Charlotte, NC; Rachel (Evan) Larson of Harrisburg, SD; Ryan (Whitney) Patnoe of Aberdeen, SD; Lauren (Sam) Whelan of Chicago, IL; and Allison (Danny) Ullman of Chicago, IL; four great-grandchildren; sister, Diane (Joel) Odland of Sisseton, SD; sisters-in-law: Wynn Boerger and Carol Oltman; along with many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers: Vincent Patnoe and Richard Patnoe; and brother-in-law, Larry Boerger.