Dr. Michael Kihne

Michael Joseph Kihne, 76 of Sioux Falls, SD passed away surrounded by his family and his beloved boxer, DJ on February 11, 2022.

Michael was born in Grand Forks, ND on December 1, 1945 to Dick and Freda Kihne. He grew up in Cavalier, ND the oldest of five brothers; Robert, Jack, Barney and Mark. The family were members of St. Brigid’s Catholic Church where he was an alter server. He was always a hard worker and had his first job at the age of 14 working at Salaba’s Drug in Cavalier as a stock boy. He graduated high school in Cavalier where he participated in football, basketball and track. He was a member of the science club and school newspaper and would occasionally DJ at the local school dances.

He then continued his educational journey at North Dakota State University where he received a degree in pharmacy. During that time, he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and bought his first car, a red Ford Torino which he spoke fondly of over the years. Mike then moved back to Cavalier where he worked at Salaba’s Drug, this time as a pharmacist, for about the next two years. While he was back in Cavalier he met the light of his life. He and Darlene Joy Bjelde were married in Cavalier on 7-12-69.

The two of them then made moves to Texas and Virginia during Mike’s military service in the Army medical corps. While in Fort Eustis, VA they had a son, Todd. Once completing his military commitment, Mike and Darlene moved to Detroit, MI where he worked as a pharmacist for a couple years. During that time, they had the unfortunate event of losing girl twins whom they miss dearly. Never one to be idle, Mike then decided to continue his quest for knowledge and enrolled in medical school at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND. He then completed his medical training and Radiology residency at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1982. These years formed his lifelong love of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and not just the football program, but every sport in which the school competed. While in Omaha, Mike and Darlene welcomed their second son, Bryan.

The following years entailed a few moves and different Radiology practices including stops in Hays, KS, Fargo, ND and finally Sioux Falls, SD where he spent the final 27 years of his career as a Radiologist working at many of the local and surrounding hospitals and clinics. He worked up until age 72 when he decided to finally retire. He loved what he did and helped many patients over the years. He loved the challenge of his Radiology practice which he worked at for 35 years.

Mike was a wonderful husband, father, provider, teacher and role model to his whole family in addition to many others in his life. He loved his family and enjoyed being married to the light of his life for 52 years. He was a man of many talents with longtime passions of photography, competitive shooting, music, pen turning and sports. He was strong in his Catholic faith and was always kind and helpful to everyone he met. He loved watching his sons and eight grandchildren growing up and was always willing to give them advice on any topic. We will miss him terribly, but know that he will be looking down on us with love.

Visitation with family will be held at Heritage Funeral Home, 4800 S Minnesota Ave. in Sioux Falls on March 3, 2022, from 4:00-6:00 pm.

Funeral Services will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 3601 Dudley Lane, Sioux Falls on

March 4, 2022, at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to:

Freeman Academy

748 S Main St. PO Box 1000

Freeman, SD 57029

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church and School

2 James Dr.

Greenville, SC 29605