Patricia Ann (Wilkerson) Becker, 61, formerly of Redfield, SD passed away August 12, 2009 at Regency Hospital of Minneapolis in Golden Valley, MN following a very long and courageous battle with COPD. Her memorial service will be Tuesday August 18, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. Pastor Lorah Houser-Jankord will officiate. There will be lunch served immediately following the service at the Knight's of Columbus Hall. A private cremains burial in Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield will be held at a later date. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Patricia was born November 20, 1947 to Ulysses "Ole" and Lillian (Boullion) Wilkerson at the hospital in Conde, SD. She attended school in Conde through the 10th grade and later earned her G.E.D and attended classes to become a dietary technician.

She married Darwin Becker on August 8, 1966 in Rapid City, SD. They farmed in rural Redfield and also did custom fencing. She began working at the South Dakota Developmental Center in Redfield, in 1965, in the infirmary. She later transferred to the laundry department and finally to the dietary department where she worked as a dietary technician. She became ill and retired in 1994. A few years later she did enjoy working at Food Pride, in the deli, part-time.

She moved to the St. Michael /Albertville, MN area in 2004 to be closer to specialized physicians and to be placed on a lung transplant list. During this time she developed many new friendships. She greatly treasured the time she spent cooking, gardening, watching movies and playing games with family and friends.

She is survived by her three children: son Brad, Rapid City, SD, and his children Jesse, Kevin, Shailyn, and Tobie; daughter Tonya (Lynn) Scriver, Albertville, MN, and their children Ryan and Eric; and son Dustin (Alisa Lewis) Redfield, SD, and their daughter Gauclyn. And special to her heart Shania Lewis & Bryahna Hartford. She is also survived by her brother Dale (Gloria) Wilkerson, El Paso, TX; sisters, Marilyn Wade, Flandreau, SD; Nila (Richard) Groft, Redfield, SD; Norma Wipf, Rapid City, SD; any many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Darwin in 1988; her mother, Lillian in 1958, her father, "Ole" in 1988; brother in-law, J.C. Wade in 2004; and brother-in law, Danny Wipf in 1996.

She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.