Linda Sue Pipal
Linda Sue Pipal of Black Hawk, South Dakota, died on Friday, October 31, 2025 at Monument Health Hospice in Rapid City at the age of 80.
Linda Sue Deering was born on August 7, 1945, in Rapid City to Ruth (Caton) and Oscar Deering. The tenth of twelve children, Linda was raised on the Deering Ranch north of Wasta near Elm Springs, where countless nieces, nephews, and neighboring children grew up alongside her in a bustling, closeknit household filled with laughter and hard work. She attended Pierce Elementary near the family ranch—affectionately known as "The Deering School." She often recalled joyful days spent playing with siblings and friends, and it was there that her lifelong love of reading was firmly planted. Linda graduated from New Underwood High School in 1963 and that fall began answering her call to serve others by enrolling at St. John's McNamara School of Nursing.
After graduating, she began her nursing career at Beatty Hospital in Westville, Indiana, while continuing her courtship with Ernest "Butch" Pipal, who was then serving in the U.S. Army. Upon his discharge, the couple returned to western South Dakota, where Linda worked at the VA Hospital in Sturgis. Over the next forty years, she dedicated her life to caring for others—as a public health nurse in Wall and Philip, on the eighth floor of what was then Rapid City Regional Hospital, and later at the Surgical Center in Rapid City.
Linda and Butch shared nearly 56 years of marriage filled with love, laughter, and faith. A devoted wife, mother, and nurse, Linda's adventurous spirit shone through her love of travel and the joy she found in spending time with her family. A lifelong reader, she passed that passion on to her daughters —Emily, Eileen, Ann, and Anita—who continue to honor her legacy of compassion, humor, and independence, qualities that made her an enduring source of inspiration to all who knew her.
Linda is survived by her husband, Butch; her children, Emily Pipal Glatt of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Eileen Jordan (Kent) of Faith, South Dakota; Ann Pipal of Denver, Colorado; and Anita Bryce (Alan) of Phoenix, Arizona; grandchildren Cale Baus (Ruth), Maria Glatt, Lisa Glatt, Grantland Bryce, Sarah Jordan, Hannah Perkins, William Bryce, Jared Jordan, Jonathan Glatt, Declan Bryce, and James Bryce; siblings Margaret Joan Fenner Sutton, Kathryn Deering, and Patrick (Frankie) Deering; sistersin-law Bobby Deering (Jim), Mary Deering (John), Sandy Deering (George), and Betty (Glenn) Alishouse; as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews and her lifelong, chosen family, circle of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Jean, Jim, Bud, Joyce, John, Dennis, Carolyn, and George; and her sister-in-law Gloria (Donny) Kelly.
Funeral services will be held at Grace United Methodist Church (10060 Foothills Dr.) in Piedmont, South Dakota, on Saturday, November 8th, with a viewing at 9:30 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will immediately follow, with interment at Lakeside Cemetery in Meade County, South Dakota. Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
