Aiden Van Balen | 2008 - 2025
Obituaries-Pierre / Posted Jun 9, 2025 | 4:57 PM / 906 views
PIERRE, SD – Aiden passed away suddenly on June 4, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at Hollister Football Field in Pierre, SD. Burial will follow at Scotty Philip Cemetery. In lieu of flowers there is a GoFundMe Account set up and those funds will be used to create a scholarship that will benefit youth athletes in the area. The funeral can be viewed at www.isburgfuneralchapels.com
He was born 7/24/2008 in Sioux Falls, SD weighing 3lbs 7oz and fighting mad, to Dustin and Amanda Van Balen. From the moment he was born, his parents grew a love so strong it was unbeatable. He was named Aiden because it meant “little fire”, and that was exactly what he was. His first 72 days took place at Sanford NICU where he beat every obstacle he faced.
Aiden returned to Pierre, SD in 2010 with his mom and dad, and Pierre became his home and his family.
In 2011, Aiden, along with his mom and dad, welcomed his baby brother Jakob. Aiden loved his brother from the moment he was born. Jakob also had a NICU stay, but every single day, Aiden would ask mommy how his baby brudder was doing. They had an unbreakable bond from that moment on, even if during the teenage years he didn’t always show it.
He attended St. Joe’s Catholic School from preschool thru 5th grade. It was here that he made so many of his cherished friends. He quickly became the light of so many people’s life. You could often find him at recess surrounded by all of his class mates.
In 6th grade he moved on to GMMS, where he quickly made some more close friends in addition to his St. Joe’s crew. It was during this time he also developed a love for wrestling, football and track. During his 7th grade year end awards ceremony, he was given “The Life of The Party” Award, and he truly was.
He was currently going into his junior year at TF Riggs High School and he remained The Life of the Party! He continued to excel at sports. Football, wrestling, and track took up so much of his time, what was left was spent living his best life with all of his buddies and his very special girlfriend, Riley.
Aiden will be mostly remembered for his gentle and compassionate heart, his quick witty humor, his commitment to his sports, and always being there for anyone who needed him. His smile would light up any room, and his laughter was contagious.
Anyone who met Aiden became a friend and a truly special one at that.
Aiden was preceded to his happy place by: 2 infant siblings, his brother Jerold Thomas, cousins Tate & Ella Klinger, great grandparents Albert and Vivian Lutz and Robert Schumacher.
So very blessed to have been in his orbit are: his mom & dad, brother Jakob, dogs Bella & Codee; as well as grandparents Bruce and Susan (Schumacher) Nystrom and Clayton and Deborah (Lutz) Van Balen; great grandmother Donna Schumacher; aunts and uncles Kristi and Joel Catlin, Heather and Paul Klinger and Jackie and Matthew Johnson; cousins Olivia and Addison Catlin, Chayce Klinger and Evian and Trestin Johnson; his girlfriend Riley Berg and many close friends.
