Irene Grace Pierce

Irene G. Pierce, age 84 of Decorah, Iowa, died early Wednesday morning, July 4, 2007 at home in Decorah following a long illness with Parkinson's Disease. Memorial Services will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Sunday, July 22, 2007 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah by Rev. Steven M. Jacobsen. Private Family Inurnment will be in the Burr Oak Cemetery in Burr Oak, Iowa. Irene Grace Pierce was born June 7, 1923 in Decorah, Iowa, the daughter of Peder and Ingeborg (Engebretson) Finberg. She graduated from Decorah High School with the Class of 1940. She excelled at Declam Public Speaking and won many honors. She served as student body President for the Class of 1940. Irene was united in marriage with her high school sweetheart, Marshall W. Pierce on July 1, 1942 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah by Rev. T.A. Hoff. This union was blessed with two children: David and Nancy. Irene was a Telephone Operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. in Decorah for over thirty years, until dial service was introduced in 1977. She then worked as a receptionist at the Decorah Clinic for nine years. Her memberships include First Lutheran Church, church circle and Telephone Pioneers of America. Irene had a great sense of humor. She loved to entertain, enjoyed cooking and crossword puzzles. She is survived by her husband of over 65 years, Marshall, of Decorah; a son, David and his wife Diane of Saint Louis, MO.; a daughter, Nancy and her husband David Neuhring of Rockford, IL; three grandchildren, Jason and his wife Tracy Neuhring, Dawn and her husband Mike Martin and Dana and her husband Brett Muhlke; five great grandchildren, Samantha, Autumn, and Curtis Neuhring, Lauren Blair and Grace Martin and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Elvin Finberg; a sister, Agnes Amundson; a half sister, Inga Anderson and a half brother, Oscar Finberg. Memorials may be given to Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice, 901 Montgomery Street, Decorah, Iowa 52101.