Dianne Rood-Kiesz

Sioux Falls, SD-Memorial Service for Dianne Rood-Kiesz, 78, of Sioux Falls will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 27, 2021 at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Eureka. Family requests that masks be worn. The service will be live streamed and available at www.Carlsenfh.com under Dianne's obituary.
Burial in Leola Seventh-Day Adventist Cemetery at 1:30 pm on Friday, June 25, 2021.  Pastor Mary Lou Gruebele will officiate. 
Dianne died March 11, 2021 at Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls.
Dianne Rood was born January 12, 1943 to Thorwald and Nila (Metz) Rood at Aberdeen, SD. She graduated from Aberdeen Central High School with the class of 1961. She attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, obtaining her Bachelors in 1965. She then attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she attained her master's degree in Communications in 1967. She moved to Phoenix, AZ where she was a Professor at Phoenix College. Dianne then moved to Greeley, CO and taught at the University of Northern Colorado and Colorado State University in Ft. Collins.
Dianne was united in marriage to James Bidwell in October 1979 in Rustic, CO. In 1980, they bought a hobby farm and moved to Leola, SD. She taught part time at Northern State College, Presentation College and Ellendale Trinity Bible College. Over the years, Dianne did a lot of pulpit supply in northeast South Dakota. She became a full-time Pastor in 1992 for St. Paul's United Church of Christ.
Dianne was united in marriage to Willis Kiesz on February 11, 1993 in St. Paul's United Church of Christ. They made their home on Willis's family farm and in 2013 they moved to Leola. Willis died October 15, 2015. She later made her home near her brother, James in Webster and then in Sioux Falls near her longtime friend, Rhanda.
Dianne loved to read, write and speak; A true communicator. She also could often be found outside tending to her fainting goats and other critters. Dianne was known to be a recycler, even before it was popular. She started and ran many thrift stores in communities she lived in and shopping was always an enjoyment for her. She volunteered with SDSU Extension, McPherson County 4-H and as Director of Leola Area Theatre. She was a grateful and supportive Al-Anon member. Dianne made people feel loved and shared her open heart. She will be remembered for her wisdom, gratitude, and warm hugs.
Grateful for having shared Dianne's life are her brother, James (Sandra) Rood, Webster, SD; step-sons, Kirby (Kari) Kiesz, Aberdeen, SD, and Chris (Laura) Bidwell, Thornton, CO; step-daughter, Jody (Paul) Luciw, South Royalton, VT; two step-granddaughters, Rebecca and Brittany Kiesz, Aberdeen, SD; nieces, Heidi (Rood) Johnson, Minneapolis, MN, and Heather (Rood) Kemp, Duluth, MN; nephew, Daniel Rood, Shakopee, MN; and friend, Rhanda Heller, Sioux Falls, SD.
Dianne was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Willis.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Aberdeen Area Humane Society, PO Box 1013, Aberdeen, SD 57402, or SD Public Broadcasting (www.sdpb.org).
Carlsen Funeral Home of Eureka has been entrusted with arrangements.

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