Ernest Kenneth Hieb

Ernest Kenneth Hieb, 85, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Tripp, SD, passed away on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at the Freeman Regional Nursing Home.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a 7 p.m. scripture service, at Friedens Reformed Church in Tripp. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 21 at Friedens Reformed Church in Tripp followed by interment in the Friedens Reformed Church Cemetery.

Ernest Kenneth Hieb was born in Parkston, SD on July 10, 1939 to Martha (Hoffman) and Helmuth Hieb. Ernest attended school in Tripp, participating in basketball and track while in school and it was reported that if there was trouble, Ernie was usually not involved. Ernest graduated from Tripp High School in 1957.

Ernest enlisted in the Army National Guard on October 22, 1956. He served 8 years and was honorably discharged on October 21, 1964. 

Ernest farmed and worked at Rudy Hieb’s Standard Station in Tripp before going to work at CR Industries in Springfield for 27 years. 

Ernest’s life is a love story in that he met and married the love of his life, Betty Bitterman on July 22, 1973 and soon welcomed three children. Ernie was a wonderful and devoted husband for over 51 years. Ernie and Betty did absolutely everything together. He loved his family and worked hard to provide everything they needed in such a giving way, always putting their needs ahead of his own. As Ernest wrote in his own words, “So glad my wife and her sister got hooked on me and my best friend Maynard Schmidt.” 

Ernest was a lifetime member of the Friedens Reformed Church in Tripp and attended the Harrisburg United Methodist Church in Harrisburg, SD for 12 years after moving out of Tripp. He served on the consistory at Friedens for several years and was a member of the Jelkin-Harms American Legion Post in Tripp. 

Ernest enjoyed golfing, bowling, fishing, gardening and spent most of his time caring for his family. He attended his kids’ baseball games, football games, band concerts and anything else they were involved in. He loved being able to take his family on vacations and creating precious memories while traveling out to the Black Hills, Twins games, and even putting 3 kids in a car to travel out to California to Disney Land and to visit many relatives. Ernest celebrated his 75th and 80th birthdays at Twins games in Minnesota.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Betty and his three children, Jolene of Sioux Falls, Steven (Jennifer) of Champlin, MN and Matthew (Gina) of Sioux Falls. Ernest was a devoted and wonderful grandfather to 5 granddaughters, Elizabeth, Sydney, Madison, Addilyn and Emilia. He is also survived by his brother Maynard, sister-in-law Betty and many nieces and nephews.

Ernest was preceded into Heaven by his parents, Helmuth and Martha Hieb, brother Harold Hieb, granddaughter Olivia Brooklynn, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Theophil and Minnie Bitterman as well as several brothers and sisters-in-law.