Roger Bierstedt, 57, of Brookings, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2017 at the Brookings hospital. 

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church in Brookings. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m.m Thursday at Rude’s Funeral Home, in Brookings.

 In honor of Roger’s love for the Iowa Hawkeyes and the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits, his family requests you wear your Hawkeye or Jackrabbit colors to his services.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Roger’s family, it was Roger’s wishes that a memorial fund be established to assist his son with college expenses.

 Roger was born on July 17, 1960, to George and June (Johnson) Fothergill in Estherville, Iowa.  George passed away a few weeks later from a farming accident.  June was married to Clarence Bierstedt on Nov. 12, 1961 and Clarence was excited to adopt Roger on July 17, 1962. Roger attended Estherville Senior High and was a very accomplished musician, earning many awards.   He attended the University of South Dakota, where he majored in music and later business and broadcasting.  He transferred to Brown Institute in Minneapolis, earning a degree in radio/TV broadcasting.  

Roger started working in radio for Metro Traffic Control, in the Twin Cities and later KOKK in Huron, KKXL-AM & FM in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and KIJV-AM & KZNC-FM in Huron. He sold cars at Great Lakes GM Toyota, in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Roger sold insurance for many years, starting at Farmers Insurance Group, in Grand Forks, North Dakota; Prudential Insurance, in Spirit Lake, Iowa; Bierstedt-Chase Agency in Huron; for several bank agencies, including Wells Fargo in Huron; Great Western Bank in Watertown; and most recently the VP/Insurance Manager for First Bank & Trust/ Fishback Insurance Agency in Brookings and Sioux Falls. He served as President of the Brookings Region of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and was the recipient of their 2017 Financial Advisor of the Year award. Roger married Teri Erdahl in Huron on March 20, 1993. He proudly adopted Teri’s son Anthony, on July 16, 1993. They were blessed with a son, Tanner, on July 19, 1994, but he passed away on May 13, 1995. Roger and Teri also enjoyed 10 years as foster parents taking care of many children.   

 Roger was a member of the Jaycees in Grand Forks and Huron, holding many positions within the organization including being the District Director of the North Dakota Jaycees. He served as President of the Huron Sertoma, Huron Area United Way board, Huron Junior Achievement board and teacher and the Washington School Advisory Council, in Huron. He sang as a member of the Grand Forks Master Chorale for several years. In Brookings he was a member of Rotary and NAIFA (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors). He was also very active and held many roles within church, at First Presbyterian Church, in Huron and First Presbyterian Church in Brookings. He sang in the choir at both.

Roger loved his family and enjoyed watching Anthony excel in his music. Roger and Teri enjoyed many wonderful vacations to Hawaii, Florida, Arizona, London, Canada and an Alaskan cruise. Roger loved to golf and held memberships at Huron County Club and Brookings Country Club.  He enjoyed playing sports, and watching his favorite teams, the Iowa Hawkeyes, the SDSU Jackrabbits, and the Minnesota Vikings, Twins and Wild.     

 Roger is survived by his wife, Teri, of Brookings; his son Anthony of St. Paul, Minnesota; his parents, Clarence and June Bierstedt of Estherville, Iowa, sister, Lori Mooney (special friend Brian Vauble) of Sac City, Iowa; mother-in-law, Bev Erdahl of Huron; nephew, Jason (Laura) Mooney of Mitchellville, Iowa; great nephew, Henry Mooney; brother-in-law, David Erdahl of Huron, along with several aunts, an uncle and many cousins.  

He was preceded in death by his son Tanner, and his grandparents. 

Condolences may be sent the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.