Patrick Pate, 33, of Brookings, passed away on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family following a courageous battle with cancer.  A time of visitation will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2022, from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M. at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.  A private family funeral service will be held at a future date, with burial taking place at the Lake Campbell Lutheran Cemetery in rural Volga, South Dakota.

Patrick Arthur Pate was born on November 19, 1988, to Elaine Elverud in Tokyo, Japan.  Around the age of two, Elaine and Patrick made the journey back to the United States, settling in Colman, South Dakota.  In 2008, Patrick graduated from Colman-Egan schools.  Upon graduation, Patrick enjoyed working at various jobs, ultimately moving to Vermont for a short time to explore new opportunities.  During his time in Vermont Patrick was able to cultivate a true love for snowmobiling.  After his trip to Vermont, Patrick returned to South Dakota where he met the love of his life, Joanna Zajic.  Patrick and Joanna were united in marriage on September 28, 2019, at the Quarry Rock Church in Dell Rapids, South Dakota.

Patrick enjoyed working at various jobs throughout his life, but he especially loved his work as a paraprofessional within the Marshall, Minnesota school district where he worked with children with special needs.  Patrick also developed a passion for powersports, and shortly before his passing he decided to follow his dream of becoming a powersports mechanic.  He was so passionate about this dream that he made the daily commute from Brookings to Jackson, Minnesota each day to attend his classes at Minnesota West College, attaining his Diploma.  Patrick was also an excellent student, becoming a member of the National Honor Society.

Patrick held many interests throughout his life, but his true passion was driving his snowmobile on a fresh blanket of snow.  He could often be found jokingly telling his friends and family that he was wishing for snow on any given hot South Dakota summer day.  Patrick was a member of the Dakota Drifters Snowmobile Club.  He also enjoyed attending World of Outlaw sprint car races.  One of Patrick's favorite past times was camping with family, where he could often be found reading a book beside the campfire.  Each year, Patrick was able to help Joanna's uncle with harvest, and in the meantime, he shared his experience, knowledge, and enjoyed exploring agriculture with his best friend Kevin M.  Above all, Patrick deeply loved his family.  He was fiercely protective of those he loved, and always made sure that they knew how much they meant to him.

Patrick is survived by his wife, Joanna; daughter, Haylee; and son, Keith, all of Brookings; parents: Elaine and Robert Kilber; and brother, Zach Kilber, all of Colman, SD; sister, Lindsey Kilber, of Tea, SD; sister, Ashtin (Brett) Simpson, of Spencer, Iowa; 2 nephews; 1 niece; father-and-mothers-in-law: John (Shelly) Zajic, of Astoria, SD, and Sandy Zajic of Montrose, SD; brother-in-law Jarid Zajic, of Montrose, SD; two grandmothers: Linda Kilber of Flandreau, and Diane Elverud of Estelline, SD.

He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Ed Kilber; grandfather, Thomas Elverud; great-grandparents, Lloyd and Goldie Elverud; and uncle, Corey Kilber.