Patricia K. Danielson

RAPID CITY - Patricia Karen "Patty" Danielson, 71, Rapid City, died peacefully Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, surrounded by her family at the Hospice House of the Hills.

She was born Sept. 25, 1939, to Russell Eldred and Edith Irene (Robertson) Pace on her grandparent's farm near Elk Point. She grew up at the family farm near Burbank, attending Burbank Country School through the eighth grade. Patty graduated from Vermillion High School in 1957 where she sang in chorus, was a majorette and was a member of the twirling and dance troupe. 

On May 19, 1956, Patty married Gerald "Jeb" Danielson. From this union they had four children. They lived in many parts of South Dakota and Montana following Jeb's employment. Although the marriage did not survive, Patty and Jeb remained lifelong friends sharing many happy occasions with their children and grandchildren.

During the early years of married life, Patty was a homemaker, but in 1969 a hidden talent as a business woman was revealed when she began selling Avon in Elk Point and the surrounding farming community. It was said when a farmer working in the barn or on a tractor in a nearby field would see her driving up the road, he would head for the house so he could sit down and "chew the fat" with Patty while she put on her "dog and pony show" selling her products to the farm wife. 

In 1970 Patty began working in the trucking business with Jeb, transferring to Rapid City in 1972. In 1978 she went to work at First Federal Savings & Loan as the president's executive secretary. In 1981 she went to work with a local development company and became a partner in the purchase of Headlines Academy of Cosmetology in 1982. In order to understand the cosmetology profession, Patty attended cosmetology school in Bozeman, Mont., and returned to Rapid City in 1984. Patty then became the sole owner - expanding, achieving accreditation and moving it to downtown Rapid City in 1987. An accredited massage program was added in 1995. She sold Headlines Academy in 2002. Patty also opened It's Your Place Salon and Day Spa and continued to work there as a massage therapist and bookkeeper until July 2010.

Patty said that owning Headlines Academy was the best achievement of her professional career. She loved to learn and took great pride in educating students.  

Although many people were influenced by Patty as a business woman, her children remember more of the legacy she created as a loving caring and supportive mother. She loved hosting large family gatherings, cooking vast amounts of food and always setting the perfect table whether it be for Christmas with relatives or Sunday breakfast with the family. The children were the recipients of her creative talents as she spent many sleepless nights sewing their school clothes, prom dresses, home decorations and toys. 

Patty had eight grandchildren who richly blessed her life. She masterfully captured their love and attention by organizing sleepovers and elaborate theme parties. The love she extended to them came back to her tenfold as they surrounded and supported her in her final days. 

She is survived by her mother, Edith Pace of Rapid City; her children, Teri (Bruce) Dudley, Duluth, Minn., Royce (Donna) Danielson, Piedmont, Kristol (Mark) McKie, Rapid City  and Robert (Milissa) Danielson, Rapid City;  grandchildren, Curtis and Kenny Danielson, Matthew, Karris and Kassie McKie, Zachery Houska and William Danielson; siblings, Gary (Kaaren) Pace, Kansas City, Mo., Sandra (Jerry) Duhaime, Elk Point, and Pam (Mike) Hammes, Racine, Wis.

She was preceded in death by her father, Russell Pace and her grandson, Jeb Houska.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff and volunteers of Hospice of the Hills, Interim Health Care, Fountain Springs Care Center and the countless family members and friends who took part in her final months. 

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, at Parkview Evangelical Free Church, 333 Sandra Lane, with Pastor David Greenhood officiating. 

A memorial fund has been established at Pioneer Bank and Trust for educational scholarships in the field of cosmetology. 

Services are under the direction of Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Her online guestbook may be signed at www.osheimschmidt.com.