RAPID CITY- Jean Marie Hier- 87, died December 16th, 2012 at Clarkson Health Care in Rapid City. Jean was born November 1st, 1925 in Hettinger, North Dakota to Maurice and Myrtle (Larson) Grey. She grew up in a small community south of Hettinger called Lodgepole, SD where her family owned and operated the general store. Her family then moved to Lemmon, SD where Jean attended high school and her parents were proprietors of the "New Grill Café". In 1942, Jean attended Black Hills State College in Spearfish, finishing her two year teaching certificate for Northern State College in Aberdeen. Her first position was as a 7th grade teacher in McLaughlin, SD, in 1944. She met and married, Perry Orville Hier in 1947. He had returned home after serving in the Army's Pacific Theatre during World War II. Jean and Perry started to raise a family while Perry embarked on a career in the grain business which ultimately became a successful 35 year endeavor with Bunge Corporation. It was during this time, the Hier's began working with their church affiliated programs and other philanthropic groups primarily to promote an end to world hunger and its complications. The Hier's literally traveled around the world championing projects that would help others. In 1969, the family moved to Aberdeen where they enjoyed travel and participating in the community. After retiring from the grain business, Mr. Hier served in the SD Legislature representing Brown County from 1985-1988 with Jean at his side. The couple moved to Rapid City in 1994 where they had begun a snow-bird lifestyle spending time in South Dakota and Arizona. She always said she had the best of both worlds. After the death of her husband in 1995, she continued traveling south for the winter where she enjoyed family and friends in both locations. She was a constant proponent for South Dakota tourism as she invited everyone to visit the beautiful Black Hills. Jean was buried with her husband of nearly 48 years, December 19th, 2012 at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. She is preceded in death by her husband, Perry O. Hier. She is survived by their four children: Steven K. Hier, Chicago, IL; Kyle J. Hier, Denver, CO; Timothy L. Hier, Litchfield Park, Arizona; Barbara J. Hier, Arizona/Rapid City and her sister Dr. Sharron Carosella, Denver, CO; many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jean's philosophy in life was to "Live your religion and laugh a lot," she achieved both magnificently! Jean's life will be celebrated at a memorial service to be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 5th at the First Congregational Church: 1200 Clark St., Rapid City. Immediately following the service, there will be a reception in her honor. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jean's memory can be made to the First Congregational Church designated to projects that were special to her.