Rachel Bierman

RACHEL'S TRIBUTE VIDEO

Rachel Bierman, 93, of Faulkton, passed away, Monday, September 03, 2007 at the Faulkton Healthcare Center.

Funeral services were held at 2:00pm, Thursday, September 6, at the United Church of Faulkton with Rev. Julie Nygaard officiating. Burial was in the Faulkton Cemetery. Visitation was Wednesday, September 5 starting at 3:00p.m. at the Luce Funeral Home in Faulkton with a prayer service being held at 7:00p.m.

Rachel Marie (Johnson) Bierman was born July 12, 1914 to Chester and Karen (Oleson) Johnson in DeVoe Township, Faulk County. She grew up on her parent's farm, attended grade school in Centerville Township and graduated from Faulkton High School in 1933. In 1943, Rachel received her RN degree from Sprague School of Nursing in Huron, South Dakota.

She married Raymond W.F. Bierman on September 10, 1943. They lived in St. Paul, Minnesota the first year of their marriage where she worked at St. Paul's Children's Hospital. Ray & Rachel moved back to Faulkton where she was involved in the Faulkton Medical community for over 35 years. In 1946, Rachel was asked by Dr. Blumendahl to assist him in starting the hospital in Ipswich and she also did private duty nursing in Aberdeen while the family lived at Tacoma Park.

At the Faulkton hospital, Rachel was a staff nurse and the Director of Nurses. She took the position of Administrator and Director of Nursing for the Faulk Home in 1964 and was the first Administrator of the new John Shirk Memorial Home until her retirement in 1979. She returned to hospital nursing part-time but decided she could be of more service by providing child care for younger nurses. Rachel and Ray also became licensed foster parents for the State of SD.

Ray passed away in May, 1989. She continued to live in their home until 2000 when she broke her leg. She moved into the Faulkton Healthcare in 2001, and remained there until her death.

Rachel loved her family, gardening, and needlework. She inherited her sewing skills from her mother and blessed her family with beautiful clothing, quilts, and other handiwork. Ray and Rachel's home was always very busy and welcoming to friends and relatives.

Those living who were blessed by sharing Rachel's life are: Karen (Dennis) Collins, Faulkton; Carleen (Scott) Cross, Faulkton; Curtis (Nancy) Bierman, Aberdeen; Craig Bierman, Faulkton; and Orene (Thyris) Taylor, Omaha, Nebraska; 9 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends.

Rachel was in death by her husband, her parents, brother and sister-in-law, Oren and Marie Johnson, son-in-law, Dennis Collins, and one infant grandson.