Lance Hildebrandt

Lance A. Hildebrandt, age 37, of De Smet, SD, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, SD.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, February 21, 2025, at American Lutheran Church in De Smet, SD. Pastor Nate Bendorf will officiate with music provided by Mary Weerts as organist as well as Alison Thyen and Katie Hohm as vocalists. Active pallbearers will be Chance Frederick, Ryan Palmer, Melvin Shaff, Tyler Holmquist, Nathan Larson, and Mitch Torbert with honorary pallbearers being Lance's Faith Longhorn Teachers, Classmates, Coaches & Teammates. The service will be livestreamed via the Crawford-Osthus website. The family requests attendees dress in Vikings, SDSU, or Faith Longhorn attire in honor of Lance.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 to 1:00 PM on Friday, February 21, 2025, at American Lutheran Church in De Smet, SD.

Burial at De Smet Cemetery following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Lance Hildebrandt Memorial for his nieces' college funds.

On December 14, 1987, Lance Alan Hildebrandt was born to Alan and Laura (Sack) Hildebrandt in Pierre, SD. In 2006, Lance graduated high school in Faith, SD, where he participated in cross country, track, and basketball and was awarded Outstanding Male Athlete. His favorite teams were the Minnesota Vikings, SDSU Jacks, and Faith Longhorns. Later in life, he would stay involved in athletics by keeping up with his favorite teams as well as refereeing high school and college basketball games. After graduation, Lance attended South Dakota State University where in 2011, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business. Upon entering the work force, he was offered a job working with Kristi Noem and later became a life insurance agent until his stroke in 2016.

Lance was avid about collecting new experiences ranging from golf to rock climbing. However, fishing was his favorite pastime. He represented South Dakota at The Bass Federation National Championship on three occasions, and towards the end of his time at SDSU, Lance founded and sat as president for the South Dakota Bass Fishing Federation. He was also dedicated to giving back to his community. Lance was a proud Big Brother to two youths in the Sioux Falls Big Brother Program and often volunteered his time at church youth events. Everywhere he went, Lance always had a big smile on his face.

Family was vital to Lance. As an insurance agent, he made sure his family was well prepared. Becoming an uncle to Blakely and Briar was a major aspect of Lance’s life and he loved his nieces more than anything. He also had a special place in his heart for the family pets.

Lance is survived by his parents, Alan and Laura (Sack) Hildebrandt; brother, Bubba (Chelsea) Hildebrandt; two nieces, Blakely and Briar Hildebrandt; maternal grandmother, Joyce Sack; as well as numerous extended relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Dale and Marilynn Hildebrandt, and maternal grandfather, Leland Sack.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel                                                                                                   www.crawfordosthus.com

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