Bette Pierce

Bette Jane Pierce, our precious mom, grandma, Nana, Gma, cousin, friend, and fellow minister in the faith, passed from death into life on Thursday, March 5th at 11:05 pm. She was 86 years young. She died peacefully surrounded by those she cherished, with scriptures, prayers, and songs lifting her up to Heaven. Her daughters held her hands while she took her last breath.

Our beloved Bette was faithful, feisty, fun, and full of love for her family and friends. She began her earthly adventure on September 19th, 1939, in San Francisco, California to James and Ella Ruth Van Zandt. She later married the love of her life there, Clifford Michael Pierce, on February 28, 1959, and raised 3 beautiful children, Bonnie, Michael, and Jamie.

Our dear Bette had a vibrant servant heart for her family, church, and community, and never sat down for long. She showed her passion for service in managing multiple country grocery stores over the years, working as a librarian, praying for her church family, cooking for seniors, and visiting the sick. Many ministries benefited from her servant heart: the men’s prison ministry, clothes closet, prayer chain, the Palmyra Stitchery club, driving seniors to events and appointments, and Global Missions.

Our spirited Bette lived life to the fullest. She loved the outdoors and was happiest with a fishing pole in her hands, tending her garden, camping, traveling, and taking care of animals. Her country home was also her solace, spending many hours there quilting, knitting prayer shawls, cooking, cuddling with her pets, reading, and spending hours around her kitchen table with her loved ones.

There was always room at Bette’s kitchen table. It was the center of her home, and if you were lucky enough to stop by, you would be met with a hug and an amazing meal. A lifetime of memories was made around that special table, people and animals alike nourished by her wonderful food, love, wisdom, and laughter. (Even the cardinals, cats, possums, and raccoons came to her porch to be fed.) Hands would be held around the meal, and prayers lifted, thanking God for food, family, and a home she loved. The hand she held the most tightly was of the love of her life, her husband Mike of 66 years at the time of her passing. Her table was also the place of fun and laughter, playing cards and games with the family and friends she treasured, and chatting about life. In the quiet of the morning, though, there was only One with her at that special table as she leaned over her Bible and prayed to the Lord she loved so much.

She will be greatly missed; our lives forever changed by her strength, prayers, love, and spirit.

Bette was preceded in death by her parents James and Ella Ruth Van Zandt. She leaves a legacy of love with daughter Bonnie (Randy) Nesler, grandchildren Stephen, Shannah, Matthew, and great-grandchildren Brooklyn, Isaiah, and Jasper; her son Michael Pierce, grandchildren Rachel (Shawn), Jenny (Jeremy), David, Kymberly, great-grandchildren Willie “Joe,” Justin, Brooklynn, Jason, Shawn-Anthony, and great-great grandchildren Oliver and Clayton; daughter Jamie (Paul) Sohlstrom, and grandchildren Erik (Lauren), Zachary, and Anna (Grant); cousins Stephen (Mary) Parker, Jack (Lizzy) parents of Jaelynn, Jason, and Madelynn, and Laura (Braden) parents of Everett and Callahan; and cousins George (Rosemary) Hubbard, son George Phillip, Jim McDonald, John (Shirley) Hobbie and their sons John and Seth.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, March 21st at Middle River Friends Church in Carlisle, Iowa, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Middle River Friends Church at 4057 S23 Hwy, Carlisle, Ia, 50047.