Archie Tate, 96 years old of Valentine, NE passed away Saturday, August 30 at the Great Plains Health Hospital in North Platte, NE.
Archie Henry Tate was born August 5, 1918 at his parent's ranch southwest of Crookston, NE to Henry and Minnie (Strickler) Tate. Archie was the 3rd oldest of 10 children born to his parents. He attended the country school, District 137, just ½ mile north of his parent's ranch where he graduated from the 8th grade. After graduation he worked at home on his parent's ranch. Archie met his future wife, Manota Gale, and on September 15, 1942, they eloped and were married at O'Neill, NE. They lived in Florida and Georgia while he was in basic training.
Archie was a radio and radar operator for 23 months with the 563rd Signal Air Warning Battalion, 9th Air Force in support of the Third Army. His unit took part during the invasion of Normandy Beach and four other major battles, including the Battle of the Bulge where he survived a Christmas Eve bombing.
Upon his discharge from the military in late 1945 he returned to the Sandhills and worked for several ranches. Five children were born to the couple. In 1949, they bought a ranch south of Mission, SD. In 1971 he purchased his parent's ranch near Crookston. In 1982 they retired and moved to Valentine from the Mission, SD ranch.
Archie loved his family, enjoyed ranching, riding horses, and raising Hereford cattle. He was active in the Mission community. He served on the Todd County School Board, soil conservation board, a 4-H leader, and member of the American Legion and VFW. He received the first "South Dakota Rangeman of the Year" award in 1964. When Archie was about 30 years old while attending a revival meeting he received Christ as his Lord and Savior. He faithfully lived for the Lord. He attended the Valentine First Baptist Church. In his later years he enjoyed baking pecan pies, sharing them with others, and attending the Senior Center. He and Manota enjoyed traveling and spending time with their children, grandchildren and extended families. They were married for 62 years.
Archie is survived by his children including Galene (Merrill) Feller of Valentine; Norman (Janet) Tate of Crookston; Duane (Beverly) Tate of Mission, SD; and Eileen (Ronald) Konechne of Sioux Falls, SD. Grandchildren include Dean Feller, Brian (Rebecca) Feller; Bethany (Jon) Sieg; Sarah (Jamie) Fry; Christopher and Benjamin Konechne. Great Grandchildren include: Brielle and Brynna Feller; Eleanor and Liam Sieg; and Jeremiah Fry. He is survived by siblings: Venita Clifton of Damascus, Oregon; Robert (Vivian) Tate of Puyallup, Washington; and Betty (Barney) Richardson of Denver, Colorado.

Archie was preceded in death by his parents: Henry and Minnie Tate; wife, Manota and infant daughter Nancy Jane; his sisters: Florence McAlevy, Dorothy Wendorf, Harriet Ryan, and infant sister; his brothers: Harry Lee Tate; and Harold Tate.
Funeral service for Archie Tate was held on Wed. Sept 3 at the United Methodist Church in Valentine. Burial followed at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine. Memorials may be made to the Valentine Senior Center.