A Celebration of Life for Ervin E. Hieb, 96, of Chamberlain, SD will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the United Church of Christ in Chamberlain, SD with burial of the ashes in the Riverview Cemetery at Chamberlain, SD.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Greater Lyman Foundation, C/O Herb Sundall, PO Box 187, Kennebec, SD 57544 or Oacoma Chamberlain Pukwana Area Community Foundation, C/O SDCF, PO Box 296, Pierre, SD 57501.

Ervin Eugene Hieb was born September 4, 1928, on a farm near Reliance, SD, the son of John J. And Margaret (Reuer) Hieb. He was the third of five siblings growing up with Joe, Edwin, Lillian and Allan. He attended two years of high school in Reliance, and later transferred to Chamberlain High School so he could take advantage of classes such as shop and chemistry lab. He was actively involved in basketball and noted the team traveled only as far as Mt. Vernon in those days because of gas rationing during World War II. He graduated from Chamberlain High School in 1947.

After high school, Ervin married Donna Derby on November 2, 1950. They made their home on his family farm southwest of Reliance, SD in Lyman County. Later they purchased their own farm about five miles north where they lived for over 40 years. Together, they had two children. In the early days, trips to town involved shopping, dining at the Derby Cafe and playing cards with the in-laws. In addition to farming, Ervin operated the Hieb's Amoco station in Reliance. Later he and his son Curt, owned and operated Main Standard located where the First Interstate Bank now sits and Hieb's Cenex, Dairy Queen and Cycle Center on I90. Ervin sold a portion of his farm in 2000 and sold his share of the business to his son in 2001. He and his wife were a team, each with a role to play in parenting, farming, and managing the Chamberlain businesses.

In 1999, Ervin and Donna built a home in Chamberlain, where he and Donna enjoyed gardening in a big way, entertaining and spending time with family and friends. At the time of his wife's passing in 2018, they had been married 68 years.  In October of 2021, he sold the house and moved to Touchmark Senior Living in Sioux Falls, to be closer to family.

Throughout his life, Ervin was not afraid of new challenges. He was appointed to the Kennebec Grain Elevator board of directors when he was active in farming. He also received an award from the Soil Conservation Service for planting and meticulously maintaining a large tree shelter belt on his farm. He was also an active member of the Chamberlain Hospital Board where he served for several years.

Ervin always enjoyed working hard and loved the land. Not only was he proud of his wheat crop, he was equally as proud of his peach trees and bushels of tomatoes he grew each year. He loved tending to them and giving them away to family and friends. He spent most of his time outdoors mowing, gardening or tinkering around in his shop. He and Donna loved to feed the birds and watch them every morning from their sun porch. Visits from children and grandchildren who he adored were always a highlight. While living at Touchmark for the past three years, he enjoyed visits from his Chamberlain friends, playing bingo, happy hour and chatting with residents and staff. Phone calls to friends and family back home, trips to Menards and rides around Sioux Falls with his good friend Ulises, helped pass the time. He never turned down a chance to sit on the patio to soak up the sun.

Ervin and Donna were members of the United Church of Christ in Chamberlain. They enjoyed gathering with their friends after church and for church socials. Ervin loved hosting friends and family for pheasant hunts every fall. He often reminisced about those great times. He was a historian who could remember every detail of past events. He also enjoyed traveling with Donna to visit relatives in various parts of the country and went on several organized tours.

Gratefully sharing his life with his children Curtis (Suzanne) of Chamberlain, SD and Patricia (Ulises) of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren Chris (Lindsey), Andy (Desirae) Wendy, Brian (Brittny) as well as seven great grandchildren; Henry (12), Charlie (9) Jack (6), Miles (8), Nolan (8) Abram (5) Stella (2).

Ervin passed away on January 14, 2025 at the age of 96. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Donna and brothers Joe, Edwin and Allen.