The Ekalaka Eagle - Your Community Builder

Verle Pierce, 84, of Belle Fourche died September 27, 2020 at the Hospice House in Rapid City, SD.

Verle was born December 20, 1935 in Belle Fourche to Alfred "Swede" and Edith (Johnstone) Pierce. He attended 1st grade at the Five Mile School, 2nd through 6th grade in Alzada and then Belle Fourche high school. Following his sophomore year, he was injured in a tractor accident which prevented him from completing high school, subsequently he became a ranch hand for Kent Hale.

In 1954, Verle began his own ranching business by leasing the Jackson ranch located west of Alzada. Since this ranch...