Forrest Sylvester Ballieu, age 87, was released from the bonds of earth to be with his Father on January 28th, 2016. Forrest was born on November 21st, 1928 in Colorado Springs, CO, to Richard Oliver Ballieu and Bertha Marie (Pixler). He was the second son, his older brother passing soon after birth, and he was followed by his sister, Arlene Fern, in 1931.Forrest and his family eventually settled in Hot Springs, SD, where he grew up and went to school at Hot Springs High School, graduating in the class of 1947. He lived with his Dad, together with whom he built the house in which they lived, until he joined the Army in January, 1955. He served until July, 1958, when he was honorably discharged.Forrest’s Dad passed away while he was in service in Europe in August, 1956. A few months later, while on leave with one of his Army buddies, he met a young Italian girl, Graziella Donati-Rinella, on a train to Paris. They spoke through the night and continued to correspond while Forrest was stationed in Paris and Grace worked at Whittingham Hospital near Preston, Lancashire, England. They were married on November 28th, 1957. Forrest and his bride returned to Nebraska, where he obtained his undergraduate degree in History at Chadron State College and his Master’s Degree in History at University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He was a devoted Cornhusker fan the remainder of his life. Forrest and Grace raised three children, Richard Forrest, Ruth Arlene, and Robert David Ballieu, moving to Rapid City in 1967, where he and Grace lived until his death. Forrest especially loved classical music and would conduct orchestras in front of his record player and home speakers on the weekends. He was an amateur chef and would cook chicken cacciatore for the family on Sunday evenings. His interests in reading ranged from Charles Dickens to Isaac Asimov. He and Grace loved vintage movies from the 1930s through the 1960s. He was a devoted husband and loving father and grandfather. Forrest was a mild-mannered and humble man throughout his life, but with a playful and imaginative sense of humor. He raised his children in the love of God and was a decades-long member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The impact he made on, and the love he showed to, his family and friends, and all the lives he touched will never be forgotten. His presence will be missed tremendously by all who love him.Forrest was preceded in death by his father and mother, his brother, and his sister. His survivors include his wife Grace, his children Richard, Ruth (Dunham) and Robert, his granddaughter Michele Kludt and grandson Spencer Ballieu.