Robert Biever, age 79, of 1251 Arizona Ave. SW, Huron, SD, and formerly of Iroquois, died Monday, September 21, 2009, at SunQuest Healthcare Center in Huron.

His funeral mass will be 10:30 Friday morning at St. Pauls Catholic Church in Iroquois with burial at St. Williams Cemetery, rural Yale, and Military Rites by the Bensley-Rounds American Legion Post #280 of Iroquois.

Visitation will be Thursday from 1-4 p.m. at Welter Funeral Home and 6-8 p.m. at St. Pauls Catholic Church in Iroquois and a Scripture Service at 7 p.m.; or Friday morning one hour prior to the mass at the church.

Robert Louis Biever, son of Louis and Vina (Rhoten) Biever, was born on November 4, 1929, in Carpenter, SD. He graduated from Bancroft High School in 1947.

Following graduation he worked as a gravel truck driver for Bartholow Construction in Huron.

On August 30, 1951, Bob was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Korea during the Korean War. He received the following medals: Korean Service Medal with 2 bronze service stars; United Nations Service Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal. He was honorably discharged on August 12, 1953.

On January 10, 1955, Bob married Maxine Joyce Nelson at St. Martins Catholic Church in Huron.

Bob and Maxine started their Standard Oil business in Carthage, SD, in 1956. They moved to Iroquois in 1959, and started Biever's Bulk Sales Co. Bob worked in the family business until the time of his death.

He was a member of St. Pauls Catholic Church in Iroquois; Bensley-Rounds American Legion Post #280 of Iroquois and a past Commander; officer for South Dakota Petroleum Marketers; South Dakota Fertilizer and Ag Chem Association; South Dakota Realtors Association; volunteer fireman; softball coach; and enjoyed square dancing.

Bob loved his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and of course, Biever's Bulk Sales Co.

He is survived by his 3 children, Gary (Joan) Biever of Iroquois, Craig (Becky) Biever of Huron, and Diane (Steve) Soderman of Iroquois; 14 grandchildren, Ryan Biever, Randi Papka, Clint Biever, Cherri Hofer, Kari Biever, Michelle Zephier, Danielle Martin, Josh Biever, Jordon Biever, Ryan Soderman, Megan Sokoloski, Seth Soderman, Caleb Soderman, and Candra Soderman; 14 great grandchildren; 2 brothers, Larry (Helen) Biever of Fredericksburg, VA, and Eugene Wayne (Darlene) Biever of Pine City, MN; 3 sisters, Shirley Salter of Lake Preston, SD, Janice (Al) Lentz of Huron, and Alice (David) Ellis of Houston, TX; 1 sister-in-law, Kathleen Biever of Iroquois; 2 brothers-in-law, Don Nelson of Huron, and Jerry (JoAnne) Nelson of Huron; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Maxine on December 11, 2008; 3 brothers, John Biever (U.S. Navy) 1961, William Biever (Vietnam) 1967, and Leonard Jerry Biever in 2008; and 1 brother-in-law, Gordon Mike Salter 1993.