Opal Pierce

Opal Berniece Pierce, 101, passed away peacefully at the IOOF Home, Mason City, Iowa, early Wednesday morning, Oct. 24, 2012.  She was four days away from her 102nd birthday.

A Memorial Service was held Saturday, Nov. 10, at the First Congregational Church, Clear Lake, Iowa, with Rev. Brad Thornton officiating.  According to her wishes her body has been cremated.  Burial was in the Clear Lake Cemetery.  

Opal was born Oct. 28, 1910 in Reinbeck, Iowa, the fifth child of eight to Tom and Melissa (Benson) Hanson. When she was five the family moved to her grandfather’s farm seven miles southwest of Clear Lake.  She graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1929.

She met Shelby Pierce at Moffett & Thompson Garage while getting her car worked on. They were married Sept. 17, 1938. They enjoyed 71 happy years of marriage. 

Opal loved to cook and entertain. She was known for her wonderful pies. They used to go to the Surf for dances, played cards often, and traveled a lot.  She was a dedicated member of the First Congregational Church in Clear Lake.  She was in the kitchen quite often there also.  She loved their different “groups of friends” that they frequently got together with.

She was proceeded in death by husband, Shelby (Jan. 2, 2010); sisters, Leona Collinson, Vernetta Jacobson, Viola Williams; brothers, Allen Hanson, Tommy and Lester; two grandchildren; and her parents.

  Survivors include daughters, Nancy (Jim) Hoffman and Conny (Jim) Redway; grandchildren; and great grandchildren and her sister, Theone Wood.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, was in charge of arrangements.