Steven Arthur Bierle

Steven A. Bierle, 44, of Gardiner, Montana passed away a hero, Sunday, March 15, 2015 saving his son from drowning at Big Black Sands Beach in Shelter Cove, California. A memorial in celebration of Steves LIFE was held on Sunday, March 22nd, 2:00 P.M. at the Gardiner High School Gymnasium. Memorials are preferred to: Steve Bierle Family Fund C/O First Interstate Bank (903 Scott St W, Gardiner, MT 59030). After moving from Sioux Falls to Watertown, Minn., at age 3, Bierle found plenty of open spaces to explore. As he did later as an adult, the boy carved out time to pursue his passion for hunting and fishing while fulfilling more mundane responsibilities. Duck and goose calling became Bierle's way of communicating with the creatures that he spent so much of his life trying to understand. Steve was very concerned about wetlands and native grasslands and had an almost visceral connection to the land. It was not just about pulling the trigger.' After attending SDSU and getting his master's degree at the University of Montana (where he met his wife, Sandy), Bierle worked for an aviary company in Worthing before serving as chief operations officer at the Great Plains Zoo and starting a habitat development business. The family lived on a large plot south of Canton on the Big Sioux River before moving to Harrisburg to be closer to Sioux Falls. Bierle got his real estate license but couldn't shake a vague feeling of restlessness, waiting for his ultimate outdoor adventure to truly begin. Ever since attending graduate school in Montana and meeting the woman who would become his wife, Bierle was drawn to the rustic and far-reaching appeal of Big Sky country. He and Sandy were married near Flathead Lake in the Mission Mountains of Montana in 1996, with Don presiding as minister over a modest ceremony amid breathtaking vistas. When Steve learned of an opportunity to purchase the Flying Pig Adventure Co. in Gardiner, Mont., in 2012, he was instantly intrigued. The business allows visitors to the town of 875 residents to enhance their Yellowstone experience with whitewater rafting, fly fishing and horseback rides. Better still, the town of Gardiner rests where Paradise Valley and Yellowstone collide, allowing access to an outdoors wonderland where the ecosystem remains largely intact the perfect playground for a nature-loving family that includes sons Drew, Ben and Shane. It didn't take long for Steve to make an impression. Before long, he was fully engulfed in the business while still finding time to hunt and fish with his sons and even coach the town's elementary school basketball team. He realized his dream of setting up his family in paradise. They hope to see him there again someday. Steve is survived by: His loving wife, Sandy, three sons, Drew, Ben and Shane. His parents, Don and Vernee Bierle of Sioux Falls, SD, his in-laws, Pat and Patti McGraw who will soon be of Emigrant, MT, his Brother Brad and wife Sarah, their children Josh, Jacob and Tessa. He also is survived by his Aunts and Uncles and many much-loved nieces and nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by his Grandma and Grandpa, Mogck and Grandma and Grandpa, Bierle, Uncle, Larry and his cousin, Kellen. Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.