Profile Text
Birth Name: Kristi Lynn Arnold
Place of Birth: Watertown, South Dakota, U.S.
Date of Birth: November 30, 1971
Ethnicity: * father – German * mother – Norwegian (three quarters), as well as English, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Scottish, German, and Swiss-German
Kristi Noem is an American politician. A Republican, she has been U.S. Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas, since March 24, 2026. She was previously a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Dakota, from January 3, 2011 to January 3, 2019, Governor of South Dakota, from January 5, 2019 to January 25, 2025, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, from January 25, 2025 to March 24, 2026.
Kristi is the daughter of Corinne and Ron Arnold. She was raised on the family ranch and farm in rural Hamlin County, in Hazel. She was South Dakota Snow Queen. Kristi is married to Bryon Noem, with whom she has three children. She is Protestant, and has attended a Pentecostal, Foursquare Church.
Kristi’s paternal grandfather was Wesley Wilson Arnold (the son of Edward George Arnold and Flora Katherine Robish). Wesley was born in Brantford Township, Hamlin, South Dakota. Edward was born in LaGrange, Indiana, the son of William Arnold, whose parents were ethnic Germans, from Alsace-Lorraine, his father from Dettwiller, Bas-Rhin; and of Melissa Emma Wendling, whose parents were also German. Kristi’s great-grandmother Flora was born in Jefferson, Wisconsin, the daughter of John George Robish, whose parents were from Bavaria, Germany; and of Katherine Keller, whose parents were also German, with roots in Württemberg.
Kristi’s paternal grandmother was Arlys Adeline Bohn (the daughter of Benjamin Paul Bohn and Bertha Helena Ernst). Arlys was born in Twin Brooks Township, Grant, South Dakota. Benjamin was was born in Twin Brooks, to German parents, Albert August Bohn, with roots in Prussia; and Mathilda Therese Kasischke. Kristi’s great-grandmother Bertha was born in Twin Brooks, also to German parents, Rudolph Ernst and Wilhelmine “Minnie” Seide.
Kristi’s maternal grandfather was Alf Harold Bergan (the son of Thorsten/Torsten Nilsen Bergan and Bertha/Berta Ness/Nesse). Alf was born in South Shore, Codington, South Dakota, to Norwegian parents. Thorsten was born in Holla, Tellemark, the son of Nils/Niels Thorstensen/Torstensen Bergan and Karen Jensdatter Stenstadvolden. Kristi’s great-grandmother Bertha was born in Avaldsnes, Rogaland, the daughter of Sven Hansen Nesse and Marta Maria/Marie Kristoffersdtr. Aasland.
Kristi’s maternal grandmother was Dorris Katheryn Randgaard (the daughter of Frederick Oscar Randgaard and Antis Mae Hampton). Dorris was born in Marietta, Lac qui Parle, Minnesota. Frederick was was born in Minnesota, to Norwegian parents, Anton Fredriksen Randgaard/Randgard, from Randgaard, Faaberg, Oppland; and Anna Hermansdatter “Andrea” Olson, from Eidskog, Hedmark. Kristi’s great-grandmother Antis was born in Marietta, and had English, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Scottish, German, and Swiss-German ancestry. Se was the daughter of Edward Monroe Hampton and Ruth Jane Willis.
Sources: Genealogy of Kristi Noem – https://www.geni.com
Kristi’s paternal grandfather, Wesley Wilson Arnold, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org