Obituary for George "Tom" Thomas Pierce
George “Tom” Pierce, age 77, of Mapleton, Iowa, passed away on Friday, September 10, 2021, at the Nebraska Medical Center of Omaha, Nebraska.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 17, 2021, at the St. John’s United Methodist Church of Mapleton, Iowa. Rev. Jena Finch-Manchester & Rev. Mike Fillmore will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery of Mapleton, Iowa, with Military Rites by the Loren Hollister Post No. 496 of the American Legion of Mapleton, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at St. John’s United Methodist Church of Mapleton, Iowa.
The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.armstrongfuneral.com
George “Tom” Thomas Pierce, the son of Thomas M. and Lela E. (McGuire) Pierce, was born on February 21, 1944, in Grand Island, Nebraska. He grew up on a farm near Harvard, Nebraska, where he received his education in the Harvard Nebraska School District.
In May of 1965, Tom enlisted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He served his country overseas in Korea and at home at Fort Dix as a Drill Sergeant before being honorably discharge in May of 1967. Tom met the love of his life Carolynn “Nikki” Pierce in Omaha, Nebraska and they were united in marriage in Bennington, Nebraska, on March 29, 1969. The couple made their home in Omaha and they were blessed with two sons Jason and Mark.
While living in Omaha, Tom and Nikki took in and helped raise seven additional children in their two-story home. During this time Tom was employed as an over the road professional truck driver, receiving a million mile accident free plaque from DOT for his impeccable driving record. Throughout his trucking career, Tom enjoyed participating in trucking competitions, qualifying twice for the National Truck Driving Championships in Kanas City.
Family and being a Dad were Tom’s top priority. Every moment spent at home was devoted to his family. In 1995, Tom took a trucking job at Land O’ Lakes and the family relocated to Mapleton, Iowa.
Tom enjoyed being active in his community and helping with the Open Cupboard. He served as a past commander for the local Loren Hollister Post # 496 of the Mapleton American Legion, was an active member of the local VFW, and was a faithful member of the St. John’s United Methodist Church of Mapleton. Tom's dry sense of humor, witty personality, little chuckle and forever helping hand will be missed by many.
Left to cherish his memory are his sons Jason (Diane) Pierce of McClelland, IA and their children Madeline, Ella, and Grace; Mark (Jaclyn) Pierce of Xenia, OH and their daughter Loralei; sister Janice Keltner of Lowry City, MO; extended family and friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Lela Pierce; wife Carolynn “Nikki” Pierce; and brother Jerry Pierce.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to the family in honor of Tom's Life. A Facebook Live of the service will be available on the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home Facebook page for those unable to attend the services.
Read More
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 17, 2021, at the St. John’s United Methodist Church of Mapleton, Iowa. Rev. Jena Finch-Manchester & Rev. Mike Fillmore will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery of Mapleton, Iowa, with Military Rites by the Loren Hollister Post No. 496 of the American Legion of Mapleton, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at St. John’s United Methodist Church of Mapleton, Iowa.
The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.armstrongfuneral.com
George “Tom” Thomas Pierce, the son of Thomas M. and Lela E. (McGuire) Pierce, was born on February 21, 1944, in Grand Island, Nebraska. He grew up on a farm near Harvard, Nebraska, where he received his education in the Harvard Nebraska School District.
In May of 1965, Tom enlisted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He served his country overseas in Korea and at home at Fort Dix as a Drill Sergeant before being honorably discharge in May of 1967. Tom met the love of his life Carolynn “Nikki” Pierce in Omaha, Nebraska and they were united in marriage in Bennington, Nebraska, on March 29, 1969. The couple made their home in Omaha and they were blessed with two sons Jason and Mark.
While living in Omaha, Tom and Nikki took in and helped raise seven additional children in their two-story home. During this time Tom was employed as an over the road professional truck driver, receiving a million mile accident free plaque from DOT for his impeccable driving record. Throughout his trucking career, Tom enjoyed participating in trucking competitions, qualifying twice for the National Truck Driving Championships in Kanas City.
Family and being a Dad were Tom’s top priority. Every moment spent at home was devoted to his family. In 1995, Tom took a trucking job at Land O’ Lakes and the family relocated to Mapleton, Iowa.
Tom enjoyed being active in his community and helping with the Open Cupboard. He served as a past commander for the local Loren Hollister Post # 496 of the Mapleton American Legion, was an active member of the local VFW, and was a faithful member of the St. John’s United Methodist Church of Mapleton. Tom's dry sense of humor, witty personality, little chuckle and forever helping hand will be missed by many.
Left to cherish his memory are his sons Jason (Diane) Pierce of McClelland, IA and their children Madeline, Ella, and Grace; Mark (Jaclyn) Pierce of Xenia, OH and their daughter Loralei; sister Janice Keltner of Lowry City, MO; extended family and friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Lela Pierce; wife Carolynn “Nikki” Pierce; and brother Jerry Pierce.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to the family in honor of Tom's Life. A Facebook Live of the service will be available on the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home Facebook page for those unable to attend the services.
Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
16
Sep
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
St. John's United Methodist Church
212 S 7th Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
Memorial Service
Friday
17
Sep
10:30 AM
St. John's United Methodist Church
212 S 7th Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
Loading...