Patricia A. Symonds

** VIDEO TRIBUTE CAN BE VIEWED BELOW ** Patricia "Patty" Symonds, age 78 of Belle Fourche, died Monday, March 14, 2016 at the Philip Nursing Home in Philip, SD. Visitation will be held with the family present on Sunday from 4 to 6pm at Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. A memorial service will be held 10:30am Monday, March 21st, 2016 at the Christian Life Center in Belle Fourche. Memorials are preferred to the Juvenile Diabetes Association. Patricia Ann Lehnart was born March 6, 1938 in New Prague, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Milton and Doris (Wood) Lehnart. Patty grew up in Le Sueur, where she graduated from high school in 1956. In 1960 she graduated from Hamlin University in St. Paul, Minnesota with a degree in Nursing. Following her graduation she began work at the Sturgis Hospital. While living there, she met her future husband, Richard Symonds. On January 12, 1963 Richard and Patty were married in Sturgis. Following their marriage they lived near Tilford SD and Hammond MT, before settling in Belle Fourche in December of 1963. Patty worked at the John Burns Memorial Hospital in Belle Fourche. She was the Director of Nurses for 10 years. In 1988 she began work at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center, and she retired in 2000. Patty was a past board member of the Simply Service Credit Union in Belle Fourche. She was active in church, as well at Survivors of Suicide. Patty enjoyed gardening, and she loved her family very much. For the past 12 years she has fought against the disease, Alzheimer’s. She has fought with great courage and strength, with the help of her faithful husband and son. She will be greatly missed. Patty is survived by her husband Richard of Belle Fourche; son, Robert of Belle Fourche; 4 grandchildren, Gavin, Logan, Amanda, Mariah; great grandson, Chason; 4 brothers, Ivan (Doreen) Lehnart of Le Sueur MN, Fred (Mary) Lehnart of Lakeville MN, Dale (Jeann) Lehnart of Lakeville MN, Bruce (Brenda) Lehnart of Le Sueur MN; 2 sisters, Barbara (Gerry) Ramaker of Le Sueur MN, Judy (Dave) Hall of Arizona. Patty was preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter, Mary; sons, Jim and John; and her sister, Loretta Straub. Date of BirthMarch 6, 1938New Prague, MinnesotaDate of DeathMarch 14, 2016Philip, South DakotaMemorial Service10:30 A.M. – Monday – March 21st, 2016Christian Life CenterBelle Fourche, South DakotaOfficiantPastor Paul HowardMusicPianist – Judy Howard“The Old Rugged Cross”Debra Leverington, soloist“When I Get Where I’m Going” (Recorded)“Life’s Railway to Heaven” (Recorded)Date of Birth