Howard Dale Hieb, 40, of Black Hawk, South Dakota, and formerly of Murdo and Valley Springs, South Dakota, passed away Friday June 24, 2005, as a result of an unfortunate motorcycle accident.

Howard Dale Hieb was born September 24, 1964, in Mobridge, South Dakota, the son of Donald and Cecelia (Schaeffer) Hieb. He was raised in the quaint growing community of Murdo where he attended Jones County High School graduating in 1983. Upon his graduation, he chose to remain within the local area having been employed both at the Triple H Truck Stop and Horsley Farms while earning his way toward his goal of attending the Southeast Technical Institute between the years of 1985-87. It was while he was there that he met Connie I. Blomberg and married his sweetheart on September 26, 1987, in Valley Springs, South Dakota. Howard and Connie were the loving parents to two sons Kolbe and Jeramie and one daughter Tandy. The family remained in the Valley Springs area where Howard developed his own business, CNH. In 2002 the family found their home in Rapid City where Howard expanded his business and was a part time employee of H & R Block. The family recently relocated to Black Hawk.

Howard’s many interests involved numerous indoor and outdoor activities. One of his favorite activities was spending time with his granddaughter, Keegan. He aspired to plan, construct and tool with his hands a retirement dream home for his family from the South Dakota soil upon which he made and forever left his roots. As an avid gun collector he was in the early phases of teaching his youngest son, Kolbe, the important principles of gun safety, while enjoying seasonal activities of hunting and fishing in the surrounding hills of the region. An aside passion entailed tinkering around with mechanical gadgetry – most particularly his old cars and his recently acquired bike upon which his life was suddenly stricken while enjoying the sport of cycling which he loved. Howard looked forward to and enjoyed selling fireworks to the children and felt this was important.

Howard is survived by his beloved wife Connie of Black Hawk; two sons Kolbe Hieb of Black Hawk and Jeramie Hieb of Brandon, South Dakota; one daughter Tandy (Hieb) Thompson and her husband Ryan of Brandon; and one granddaughter Keegan Thompson of Brandon. He is also survived by his father Donald Hieb and wife Mary of Murdo; two sisters Mary (Hieb) Cazan and her husband Matt of Murdo, and Donna (Hieb) Fischer and husband Adam of Miles City, Montana; one brother Richard Hieb and wife Kathy of Lake Dallas, Texas; several nieces and nephews; three great nieces and nephews; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and the pooch "Nibbers".

Howard was preceded in death by his mother Cecelia (Schaeffer) Hieb; his grandparents Arvid and Bessie Schaeffer, and William and Mary (Hieb) Nash

Visitation was held 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, June 28, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. all at the Murdo Auditorium.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. CDT Wednesday, June 29, at the Murdo Auditorium, with Rev. Tom Beaverson officiating.

Interment will be in the Murdo Cemetery.

A memorial is established.

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 2:00 p.m.

Murdo Auditorium

Murdo, South Dakota

Rev. Tom Beaverson

Karen Royer – Pianist

Congregational Hymns

Judy Rada – Terri Vollmer

Judy Iversen – Richard Hatheway – Roger Hatheway

Don Johnson – Eric Johnson

Rick Kuhnert – Ross Hatheway

Gene Cressy, Jr. – Lanny Iwan

Chuck Lebeda

All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

Murdo Cemetery

Murdo, South Dakota