PIERRE, SD – Kim Bierle, 64, of Pierre, SD, died at her home on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Memorial visitation will be from 3:30pm until 5:30pm on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at Larkspur Landing in Pierre, with a memorial service beginning at 5:30pm. A graveside service will be held at 11:00am(mst) on Friday, March 14th at the Midland Cemetery in Midland, SD. The family wishes to invite everyone to join them at the Open Bible Church in Midland following the graveside service for a time of fellowship and a luncheon. Isburg Funeral Chapel of Pierre has been placed in care of the arrangements.

Kim’s Lene’ Bierle was born on November 10, 1960, in Quinn, SD to James & Janice (Madsen) Bierle. She grew up on the Madsen Ranch near Midland doing all the ranch jobs with her dad, grandpas, and uncles. After the various jobs were done, she enjoyed spending time with those same fellows fishing and hunting and was the center of their attention since she was the closest “little kid” in the family.

These years of hanging out with the “guys” also helped form the basis of strength and coordination that served her well when girls athletics really started to take off in high schools. Kim loved competing in basketball and track from junior high through high school and college. Her training seasons were filled with working cattle, cutting and splitting firewood, fixing fence, and playing softball. She was blessed with several goods coaches that focused on fundamentals and efficiency of movement. Her Grandma Pearl also emphasized those traits when playing the piano, something Kim did from grade school all throughout her life playing for school musicals, weddings, funerals, and church services in Midland and Pierre.

After graduating from Black Hills State College with a teaching degree in 1985, Kim taught at Crow Creek Tribal School for a few years, then in Midland for some time and then at Georgia Morse Middle School and T.F. Riggs in Pierre. She mostly taught Physical Ed and Social Sciences but would often take on many different related classes that needed a teacher. She saw her role as one who was to guide students to further knowledge of subjects and life, and she connected well with students on the whole spectrum of academic learning. Being a bit non-traditional or non-conformist herself, she valued each pupil as special and worth the effort. As well as teaching, she coached basketball, volleyball, and track as well as lending a helping hand occasionally for musical events and fine arts projects. Kim tried to relate the learning of the skills and discipline necessary for athletic success as the same for classroom skills needed for life success. She always tried to make her classes interesting by learning as many different and new things about a subject as possible. When she learned something new, she wanted to share it. She really enjoyed developing curriculum for new courses such as the Indian Education Program and the Natives Studies classes. The subject fascinated her, as she was able to express her deep respect and love for the Native Culture, of nature and the outdoors with her interest in the history of the local land and the people of it by helping others gain knowledge of all its aspects.

Kim is survived by her brother Kory and his wife Robin of Midland, nephew Kruse and his wife Andrea of Midland, niece Sage and her Husband Herbie O’Daniel of Midland, and niece Bailey of Hermosa. Her close friends Deb and Dennis Snyder of Pierre and their children were the same as family. She had several cousins. She also considered her many coaching and teaching colleagues as family since they shared so many kids and loved them all. She was proceeded in death by her parents, and both sets of grandparents.

In lieu of flowers the family has establish a memorial in Kim’s name at the First National Bank in Philip SD (P.O. Box 910, Philip SD, 57567).

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