Peter "Pete" Ronald Burkett was born on July 18, 1947, in Fall River, MA.  Pete died on May 9, 2024, at the Hospice House in Rapid City, SD. Pete was the son of Harold Burkett and Helen Stadnik Burkett.  Pete grew up and graduated from high school in San Jose, CA.

After high school Pete went into the military.  He served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force working as a mechanical engineer on boilers and other equipment. After his retirement, Pete worked at the Army Depot in Sacramento, CA and then for AFN, the military radio and tv channel as a Broadcast Engineer.  He lived in Colton, CA.

Pete was united in marriage with Edith Ann Darden on June 18, 2005, at the United Methodist Church in Murino Valley, CA.  Pete and Edie moved to South Dakota following Pete's retirement and have lived here ever since.  They enjoyed their home in rural Custer. They cruised to Hawaii, Panama, to the upper and lower Mississippi River and they took a train trip to Canada.   They enjoyed attending the Playhouse in Custer State Park and delivering Meals on Wheels in the community.

Pete loved trains!!!  He had an HO model train setup in his basement and volunteered at the 1880 Train in Hill City for two summers. Pete was a Ham Radio operator and examiner.  He was active in the Ham Radio club and enjoyed teaching people about Ham radio.

Pete was an active member of the Custer Community Church, volunteering, singing in the choir and serving as Council President for 2 years. Pete loved his God.

Pete was also a very active member of the Republican Party.  He served in many capacities and was a Delegate to the National Republican Convention in 2022.

Pete was an outgoing, friendly man.  He was very sociable and never had trouble talking with anyone.  He told people about himself that "what you see is what you get".

Pete was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Helen.

Pete is lovingly survived by his wife Edie, son Ronald and Louise Burkett of Sacramento, CA and sister, Pam Pearson of Ft Myers, FL.   He is also survived by his children, Peggy and Randy Applebaum of Elizabeth, CO; Dan Perkins of Denver, CO;

Cindy Fife of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Amanda and Grayson Ridel of Denver; Melissa Fife, Denver; Kristy Applebaum, Denver  and Ryan Applebaum and Sara Labishacki of Denver.

Visitation will be held 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Custer, SD.

Committal service will be held 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD.

Memorial service will be held 10:30 A.M., Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Custer Community Church in Custer, SD.