Esther Dorothy Pierce

Esther Dorothy Pierce, the daughter of Walter and Marie (Johnk) Krueger, was born August 2, 1922 on the family farm near Hancock, IA and died May 3, 2012 at the Heritage House in Atlantic, IA at the age of 89 years, 9 months, and 1 day.

Esther attended country school near Hancock while also helping on the family farm. On December 14, 1946 she was united in marriage to Fred Arthur Pierce at the family farm. They lived there and farmed there until 1988 when they moved to Atlantic. Esther maintained her home in Atlantic until several days ago when failing health caused her to move to the Heritage House.

Esther was a member of the Atlantic United Church of Christ. She was an avid card player, enjoyed crocheting, baking, and watching the Food Network. She was very passionate about Iowa State Cyclone football and basketball. She had been a 4-H leader and had been the East Pottawattamie County Farm Bureau Homemaker of the Year.

Esther is preceded in death by her husband Fred on June 12, 2002; her parents; her brother-in-law Robert; and her sisters-in-law Edna, Mary, and Helen.
She is survived by her children: Roger Pierce and wife Connie of Hancock, IA and Arlue Briggs and husband Michael of St. Louis, MO; her sister Elnor Whitsitt of San Antonio, TX; her brother-in-law Ralph Pierce and wife Junellyn of Oakland, IA; her sister-in-law Mildred Beatty and husband William of Atlantic; and eleven nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 7, 2012 at 1:30 PM at the Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland. Visitation with the family will be held at the Rieken Vieth Funeral Home from 4-6 PM on Sunday. Interment will be at the Oaklawn Cemetery at Oakland. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is in charge of arrangements.