Harley Noem

Harley L. Noem, 70, formerly of Spearfish, SD, passed away Friday, May 24, 2024, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. He was surrounded in his final days, as in his life, by devoted family members and friends who were drawn to his infectious charm and kind energy.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bryant, SD. Pastor Dave Nerdig and Pastor Kent Stillson will officiate with Deb Anderson and Isaac Bullis as pianists as well as Grant Wiessner and Mark Hajal as vocalists. Active pallbearers will be Bryon Noem, Brad Noem, Brookes Noem, Dustin Wiseman, Rob Erstad, and Rollie Erstad. The service will be livestreamed via the Crawford-Osthus website. All are welcome to gather in fellowship at the Bryant Community Center following the service to share memories.

Burial at the Scandinavian Cemetery following the service.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bryant, SD.

The family requests that memorials in honor of Harley be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bryant, SD, and to the Bryant Up & Coming Playground Park Project.

Harley was born April 16, 1954, as the seventh child of Clifford and Betty Noem. He grew up in Bryant, SD, and was salutatorian of the last class to graduate from Bryant High School in 1972. Harley was an athlete and competitor, rising to local fame as the center fielder of the Bryant Bucs, and as tight end, power forward, and mid-distance runner for the Bryant Scotties football, basketball, and track teams. However, his athletic prowess was probably most revered at the foosball table. He graduated from SDSU in 1976, with a degree in Park Management.

He married Mary Tarum in Bryant on June 27, 1981. They lived there, farming and operating a dairy with his brother, Win, until he began his career with the state Game, Fish, & Parks in 1986. The highlight of his career was pouring his heart and soul into the completion and operation of the Mickelson Trail, using his unique combination of determination, quiet empathy, and relationship-building. He worked there for 16 years, first as District Manager and later as West River Regional Manager. After Harley retired, he and Mary moved to Bryant until moving to Sioux Falls in 2023. 

Harley loved hunting and fishing, and anything outdoors with his family and friends. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, not just supporting and raising a family but spending his free time taking his kids for bike rides, sledding, and on hikes. “What do you think it is?” he would ask as he filled a plate with abstract-shaped pancakes on Saturday morning. He wholeheartedly enjoyed attending any activities that his kids, grandkids, or nieces and nephews were a part of.

Though Parkinson’s Disease changed the trajectory of Harley’s life, it left his personality and spirit untouched. With his softened voice volume, he would still make sure to offer something to eat or drink to anyone who visited, or to offer a sarcastic comment where it was due. All who visited Harley were left with a strong, suffocating hug and a sense they had been truly heard and appreciated.   

Harley is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Megan (Kevin) Wiessner and Jared Noem; grandchildren, Grant and Britta Wiessner; siblings: Al (Sharon) Noem, Sally (Larry) Erstad, Win (Ruth) Noem, Rollie (Peg) Noem, Larry (Leslie) Noem, and Avis (Ron) Welton; aunt, June Noem; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Betty Noem.

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