RAPID CITY- Debra Kay Biernbaum, age 63, died October 10, 2017 after a 14 year battle with cancer.

She was born to Donald and Pauline Ball in Yankton, South Dakota on September 27, 1954. She graduated from Stevens High School in 1972. She began what would become a 37 year career with Montana Dakota Utilities in June of 1972, shortly after the Rapid City flood.

On April, 1985, Deb was married to the love of her life, Robert Biernbaum.

Over the years, Deb was not one to let grass grow under her. She liked to play racquetball, was an avid scuba diver, enjoyed motorcycling, loved to catch those walleyes and red fish, travel to exotic places, and was an accomplished gardener. She also loved cruising on Lake Oahe on board "Relax" and "Slow Dance." Eventually she would realize her dream of cruising the waters of Florida and then on to the Bahamas aboard her boat, "Dakota Lady."

Deb held an Advanced Open Water scuba certification. She was certified for basic power boat handling and navigation, power boat coastal cruising and navigation (single engine), and offshore power boat cruising and navigation (twin engine). She was a lifetime member of the Harley Owners Group, a member of the Cape Coral Power Squadron, and a proud member of the Cape Coral Heads of Cape Harbour Marina at Cape Coral, Florida.

Deb is survived by her husband, Bob, Rapid City; mother, Pauline Ball, Rapid City; brother, Don (Rose) Ball, Bismarck, ND; sister, Donna (Dave) Neal, Black Hawk; sister in law, Susan Goodwin, Rapid City; brother in law, Mark (Gail) Biernbaum, Dripping Springs, TX; eight nieces and nephews; 11 grand nieces and nephews; and one great grandniece. All of whom she adored.

She was preceded in death by her father, Donald.

In lieu of flowers, Deb requested that a memorial be established to the John T. Vucurevich Cancer Care Institute at Rapid City Regional Hospital or the Children's Home Society of the Black Hills.

Visitation will be from 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 13, 2017 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at the funeral home with Pastor Pat Karn officiating.

Interment will follow at Pine Lawn Memorial Park.