SD State Order · Half-Staff
Flags at Half-Staff for Elmer Bietz
October 13, 2026
Elmer Bietz was a former South Dakota state senator who served in the Senate from 1983 to 1992. He also served on the state board of education and the Tripp School Board. He died at age 92, and his funeral is on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Governor Larry Rhoden ordered flags lowered at the State Capitol in his honor.
Flag protocol
Flags at the State Capitol in Pierre are to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Source: news.sd.gov