Jeanne Papik of Spearfish passed away May 24, 2018, after health complications at 100 years of age.

Jeanne was born May 22, 1918, in Perkins County, SD, to Walter and Ola Burnham. She grew up on farms in Perkins County, and Eagle Butte, SD. She attended high school in Eagle Butte, SD, graduating in 1936. Her family had arrived in Perkins County in 1910 by wagon train from Iowa and she was born at home in their sod house. Jeanne married Clifford (Cliff) Papik on August 8,1940. They were married for 75 years before he predeceased her in July 2015.

After graduating high school Jeanne completed business classes at a vocational school, and then worked for a County Commissioner in Eagle Butte. She later moved to Pierre, SD, to work in social services for the State of South Dakota. Jeanne was then assigned to establish a new office in Martin, SD, where she worked for two years. That is where she met Cliff, who was a high school history teacher and sports coach, at a community dance.

When the United States entered WWII, Cliff joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and became a second lieutenant and was eventually assigned to the Army Air Corps base at Victorville, CA. Jeanne went to join him there and subsequently worked with the entertainment center where celebrities, such as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Marilyn Monroe, appeared to entertain the troops.

After the war, Jeanne went with Cliff to Colorado where he completed a master's degree and then to Spearfish, SD, when he began a 35-year career as Athletic Director, professor, and coach of various sports, especially baseball, at Black Hills State University (then Black Hills State Teachers College) in 1948. At that time Jeanne began her 40 plus year career as a Trust Officer at the National Bank of the Black Hills in Spearfish.

Jeanne loved gardening and reading as well as being a wonderful cook, baker and homemaker. She was also very active at St Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish for more than 50 years. Jeanne also became an avid golfer, beginning in her early forties, after Cliff took up the sport and participated in several golf competitions over the next 50 years. Jeanne spent much time attending Cliff's various Black Hills State sporting events, especially baseball games.

She is survived by more than 30 nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and one great-great-great nephew. She will be greatly missed by us all.

Visitation will be 6-7pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, with a Vigil Service at 7pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10am on Wednesday, May30, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rite of Committal in Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.