Funeral services for Michael A. Bilben Sr., 64, of Kimball, SD will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at the Kimball Protestant Parish in Kimball, SD with burial in the Kimball City Cemetery at Kimball, SD.  Visitation will begin Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the Kimball Protestant Parish in Kimball, SD.

Michael Allan Bilben, Sr. was born to Elvin and Betty on February 12, 1958, in Chicago, IL.  Mike grew up on the south side of Chicago until the age of 15 when his family moved back to South Dakota.  Mike attended high school in Sisseton and New Effington where he then met his future wife, Denise.

Mike and Denise married and raised 6 children together. Amy, Jami, Mike Jr., Matthew, Mark, and Joe.

Mike held a few prominent positions which started with his military career with the United States Army, 454^th Infantry Brigade, “Tanker Spankers”. Mike appreciated the continued friendship Doug Noth and Tim Wilbur offered even after their years of service together.

Mike then was introduced to the world of sugar beets through his father-in-law, Claude Carl. In this position he started driving trucks, running heavy equipment, and finally finishing as manager of the East Grand Forks plant. During this time, he and his family did a lot of traveling and seeing the country.

After deciding to settle back in South Dakota with his family, Mike started his career in the ethanol industry.  He began as a plant operator working his way up to the position of Operations Manager.

Mike and Denise made the decision to move to Kimball, SD to be closer to their grandchildren where he then began his final career in the construction industry.

Mike loved sports of any kind.  He was a competitor to the core.  If there was pressure for a challenge, he never backed down. He thrived on competition and seldom came out on the losing end. Some of Mike’s favorite activities were bowling, golf, corn hole, yard games, video games, and softball. Softball held a special place in his heart because of the family he developed through the sport.  The amazing Coors Light team welcomed his wife and kids, including the twins ready to be born, “Homer & Gomer”, later named Matthew and Mark.

Mike’s other greatest passion was to ride, whether it be a real horse or a steel horse, Mike liked to have the wind in his face.  He and his wife had many adventures that included their horses or their motorcycle.

Overall, Mike’s greatest passion was his family.  He loved his wife Denise to the very end.  To Mike, there was nothing better than to sit around a campfire with her and their children listening to them talk and tell of their days, including the little competition his children started over who was his favorite. (I don’t believe he ever answered that question?) More than anything he loved his grandchildren.  Any moment he could spend with them was never passed up. Mike was a family man, and he loved them dearly.

Mike is survived by his wife Denise Bilben of Kimball, SD; daughters Amy (Bill) Gough of Kimball, SD; Jami (Lance) Reister of Streeter, ND; and sons Mike, Jr. (Holly) Bilben of Jeannette, PA; Matthew (Laurie) Bilben of Kimball, SD; Mark (Sandy) Bilben of Kimball, SD; Joe (Raelee) Bilben of Plankinton, SD.

Survived by ten grandchildren Dillan & JayDee (Amy & Bill); Logan & Brooke (Jami & Lance); Dakota & Ryder (Mike, Jr. & Holly); Jared, Levi, Myles (Matthew & Laurie) Isaac & arriving soon (Joe & Raelee)

Preceding him in death were his parents Elvin and Betty Bilben; brother Elvin, Jr.; nephew Luke Arneson; father-in-law Claude Carl; grandson Tylor Gough.

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