Meet Our Staff

Karen LindbloomPart-time Music Coordinator

Karen and Dr. B.O. Lindbloom (deceased) have two sons, Chris and Rodd Bauck. Karen has been directing the Faith choir for over 38 years and has been a member of Faith since 1973. Her education includes a B.S. degree in vocal and instrumental music from Moorhead State University, Minnesota, and a M.M. degree in applied music from the University of South Dakota. She taught elementary music at St Joseph School for six years and was a part of the Capital City Children's Chorus for eight years. Karen has done additional graduate work at the University of Minnesota and St. John's University. She is an accompanist at T.F. Riggs in Pierre.

Helen KiepkeOffice Administrator faith@faithluth.com

Helen grew up in Blunt, SD and attended grade school in Blunt. She attended Blunt High School for one year and then Blunt & Onida consolidated schools to become Sully Buttes. She graduated in 1973 and went on to attend Black Hills State College. In 1978, Helen took a job working for Lucas & Theim department store in Pierre and was there for 10-11 years. She then went to work for Marc Ford at Metro City convenience store and was there four years before going to work for Marc Ford at Marc’s Pump & Pack by the Mall until he sold the business. Helen then managed the Pretzelmaker in the Mall for Marc for several years and was working full-time at Riddle’s Jewelry. After closing Pretzelmaker, she continued to work at Riddle’s Jewelry in the Mall and has been there for 15 years.

Helen has been in the office administrator position since January 2, 2008. She does quite a variety of things in this job and that in itself makes it interesting. Helen has worked with many wonderful people here at Faith. We truly are a “family” who cares for and about each other. That isn’t always the case with other jobs.

Helen joined Faith in 1982 by transferring from Trinity Lutheran at Blunt.

Michael HernandezDirector of Facilities

Michael joined our staff in 2019. He moved to Pierre to be close to family when daughter Emma Rosa was born. Michael worked for First United Methodist Church for four and a half years. He is a father of four with three daughters - Emma, Sophia, and Natalie - and a son, Trenton. Michael is a loving husband to his wife Amanda. He also enjoys animals. 

Moriah KiepkeDaycare Director daycare@faithluth.com

I was raised in Blunt and moved back to Pierre in September of 2018. That same year I scored a job here at Faith Lutheran Daycare through a Youth Internship class at TF Riggs HS as a helper in the preschool room. I graduated from TF Riggs in 2019 and started taking classes the following fall to obtain my Child Development Associate through The Right Turn. I achieved this credential at the beginning of October 2020. My time here has been nothing short of a blessing, and I’m looking forward to many more years of encouraging, loving, and teaching children as they grow in their faith and learn who Jesus is and who they are in Him.

Hope LaForestPreschool Director/Teacher preschool@faithluth.com

Hope was born and raised in Louisiana and relocated to Pierre, SD in June 2018. She attended Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Birth to Five Early Intervention Education and an Associate’s Degree in Preschool Management. For 3 years she taught Kindergarten and 1st grade in Louisiana. Hope and her husband Matt have two young boys, Hudson and Harvey. Both boys attend Daycare at Faith Lutheran. She is beyond excited to continue her career at Faith Lutheran Preschool.

Jill SplittTeacher Assistant

Jill Splitt grew up in a small town southwest of Pierre in Midland, SD. She moved to Hermosa and then to Kansas. She then moved back to South Dakota and now lives in Pierre. She enjoy spending time with her husband, Wayne. They have two grown children Josie and Heath and two grandchildren, Kyler and Alyssa. She is looking forward to this school year.

Dusti PalecekTeacher Assistant

Dusti Palecek grew up in a small town southwest of Pierre in Midland, SD. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Nick and two sons, Daylen and Tace. She is excited for this school year.