February 24, 1954 - May 20, 2026
Patricia (Patti) Ann Schommer, age 72, of Oelrichs, South Dakota passed away May 20, 2026 at Fall River Hospital in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Memorial services will be held June 5, 2026 at 2:00 pm at Prairie View United Methodist Church, Smithwick, South Dakota.
Patti was born February 24, 1954, in Hot Springs, South Dakota to Elmer Clifford Morgan and Dorothy Estella Rasmussen. Patti grew up on the family ranch near Hay Canyon and attended school in Smithwick, South Dakota through the 8th grade. She graduated high school in Oelrichs, South Dakota.
As a sophomore in High School, Patti met the love of her life Mike Schommer. They were later married on January 5, 1973, in Hot Springs, South Dakota and began life’s many adventures. With this marriage came two sons, Brian and Marty. Their love took them to many places in the community, meeting new neighbors and gaining many new friendships. Their adventures brought them back to the Oelrichs community to raise their family and help on the Schommer Family Ranch.
Patti worked at the local grocery store in Oelrichs for many years before becoming the manager and then purchasing the store. Patti worked many jobs over the years and her passion for cooking was well known in the community. She managed several restaurants including the Elks Lodge in Chadron, Super 8 and Elk Horn restaurant in Hot Springs. In 2001, Patti found her calling to help people as a social worker at the Pine Ridge Social Services Office where she retired in May, 2021.
Retirement gave her more time in her garden. She always had a very large garden, sometimes more than one. She devoted her days to raising vegetable plants and sharing them with the community. Her garden was filled with tomatoes, onions, potatoes, corn, cucumbers, strawberries, beans and of course zucchini among others. She never let anything go to waste. She found a home for every plant and every vegetable. She spent hours canning, freezing and baking delicious meals and treats that she shared with family and friends.
Patti was a staple in the Oelrichs community. She found God’s calling in the Oelrichs United Methodist Church. She attended the UMW Bible Study, cooked and served meals for the First Saturday Breakfast and served on the church boards. She was an avid card player and spent many nights playing Bunco with the ladies in the community.
Her children and grandchildren knew her for her cooking, kind words, and generosity. She could always find the brighter side in any situation and loved each of them in a special way. She shared her many talents with each of them, teaching them how to cook her special recipes, sewing and canning everything possible. Nothing ever went to waste. She spent hours with her family sitting around the table playing card games late into the night. She loved fishing, camping and cooking over an open fire, never passing up a smore made by one of her grandchildren. Her family was her pride and joy.
Patti is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Dorothy Morgan. She is survived by her husband, Mike Schommer of 53 years; brother’s, Wayne (Sandy) Morgan and Blaine (Karen) Morgan; sister-in-law, Mary McQuade; son, Brian (Janeen) Schommer and grand-daughters, Gracee Schommer and Layla Schommer and daughter, Avanna, Talya (Matt) Shellito and son, Colter, Brianna Smith and children, Emma, Rylie & Mason; son, Marty (Julie) Schommer of Oelrichs, South Dakota and granddaughter, Morgan Schommer and grand-son, Roudy Schommer.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs, S.D.