Francis Michael Bierman passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, in Black Hawk, South Dakota, at the age of 44.

Francis was born on July 6, 1982, in Storm Lake, Iowa, to Michael Bierman and Roberta Peterson. He graduated from Chaska High School in 2001 and, shortly after graduation, joined the United States Air Force, beginning a lifelong commitment to service and helping others.

While stationed in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Francis met his future wife, Amber Waters. After a brief courtship, Francis proposed, and the two were married in December 2004. Shortly after their wedding, Francis deployed to Iraq for six months. Upon his return, Francis and Amber moved to Rapid City, South Dakota, where they made their home and built their life together.

Francis’s commitment to learning and serving others was evident from the beginning of his military career. While serving in the Air Force, he earned an associate degree in Fire Science in 2005 and became a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in 2004. His desire to continue learning and challenge himself remained constant throughout his life. In August 2005, Francis began pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management. Although he completed 142 of the 180 required credits, Francis eventually realized that business was not the path he wanted to pursue and began looking toward a career that better reflected his passion for helping others.

Following his separation from the Air Force in 2009, Francis returned to his passion for emergency services. He enrolled in the Associate of Science Paramedic program at Western Dakota Technical Institute while working for the Rapid City Fire Department, completing the program in December 2010. Just one month later, Francis and Amber welcomed their son, Evan Michael Bierman, in January 2011, beginning a new and exciting chapter in their lives.

As Francis embraced his role as a father, he continued to grow both personally and professionally. In 2013, he was accepted into the Associate of Science in Nursing program at the University of South Dakota, earning his degree in May 2016. His passion for learning did not stop there. Francis went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2020, followed by a master’s degree as a Nurse Practitioner through South Dakota State University, which he completed in May 2024. Along the way, Francis was always eager to take on new challenges and explore new opportunities. He obtained his real estate license and entered a partnership with his best friend, pursuing the sale of custom-built homes. 

Francis spent many years working in the Rapid City Emergency Room, where he became deeply respected for his knowledge, dedication, and compassion. Over the course of his career, he served in nearly every role—from ER technician and paramedic to registered nurse and, ultimately, nurse practitioner. His experience gave him a unique understanding of every aspect of the emergency department, and he took great pride in the work he did and the people he cared for. More than just a workplace, the ER became a second home to Francis, and he cherished his “ER family” and the friendships he built there throughout the years.

Alongside his career, Francis cherished the time he spent with his family. They loved making memories together through camping, hiking, ice skating, fishing, and attending sporting events, including professional baseball games. Their home was often a gathering place for family and friends, where they enjoyed backyard barbecues, yard games, and Sunday football. He also enjoyed training his Labrador retriever, Gauge, and competing in retriever hunt tests.

Francis also had a deep love for coaching and working with young people. He spent countless hours coaching hockey and baseball and was an active member of the youth sports community for more than 10 years. For Francis, coaching was about much more than the game itself. He loved teaching kids, encouraging them to work together, and helping them learn the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, perseverance, and having fun. 

Francis’s love of hunting took him many miles and led to many lasting friendships along the way. Hunting was also something he enjoyed sharing with his son, Evan. The time they spent together provided opportunities to teach and reinforce the importance of safety, sportsmanship, and responsibility while enjoying the outdoors. Francis also enjoyed mountain biking and skiing with Evan and friends, always making time for the activities and people he enjoyed most.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Amber Bierman; son, Evan Bierman; mother, Roberta Bierman (Dan LaForge) of Chaska, MN; Siblings; Matthew Bierman of Chaska, MN; Luke Bierman (Jasmine Bierman) of Minneapolis, MN; Clint Bierman (Anya Mityushina) of Chanhassen, MN; Tanya Aby (Daniel Garcia) of Rapid City, SD; Ian LaForge (Kevin Meyer) of Minneapolis, MN; Joey LaForge of St. Paul, MN; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Michael Bierman; son, Owen Bierman; aunt, Judy; uncle, Charles, and his grandparents, Francis and Florance Bierman; Gus and Lois Peterson. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in support of the family.

www.supportnow.org/the-bierman-family

The Celebration of Life service will be at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2nd at Rushmore Thunder Dome (5611 Old Folsom Rd, Rapid City).

Kirk Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.