Sunday Obituary - First Cousin passes

Sunday Obituary

First Cousin passes

Connie Irene Pierce, age 63, of Coon Rapids passed away on Sunday, September 17, at Thomas Rest Haven Nursing Home in Coon Rapids.
A Celebration of Connie’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 25, at the First United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids with Rev. Joyce Webb officiating. Organist for the service will be Lula Garnes and soloist will be Cindy Seastrom.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Coon Rapids Public Library and may be left at the funeral home or the church.
Visitation will be held at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids from 5 – 7 p.m. on Sunday. Visitation will resume at First United Methodist Church at 10:00 a.m. on Monday until the time of service. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for Connie’s Family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Connie Irene Pierce

Born on February 18, 1954 in Carroll, she was the daughter of Warren and Bethene (Smith) Pierce. She grew up on her family’s farm south of Coon Rapids and graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1972. She graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1976 with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and special education. She earned her master’s degree in education psychology with an emphasis in learning disabilities from Wichita State University. Connie taught K-12 special education in Bartlett and Erickson, NE; K-12 special education in Polk, NE; fourth-sixth grade special education for several years at Kingman, KS; K-six grade in a behavior disorders classroom in Leota, KS; and K-third special education in Lakin, KS.
After 18 years of teaching special education, she moved back to her hometown of Coon Rapids. She enjoyed going to water aerobics and water walking at the Carroll Rec Center. She cherished her cats Toby and Tina. Connie also enjoyed reading, watching television, crafts and crocheting.
Connie did volunteer work at the New Hope Bargain Shoppe in Coon Rapids. She also did volunteer work for the Primary Title I Reading Program at Deal Elementary. Connie was a member of First United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids. Connie had recently made her home at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids where she received tender loving care.
Connie is survived by her sister Rebecca Tribby (Mike) of Stoughton, WI; her brother Darwin Pierce (Liz Garst) of Coon Rapids; her sister-in-law Pam Pierce of Sheldon; her niece Gretchen Swadley (Ryan) and their children Blake and Quinn of Green Bay, WI; two nephews Nick Pierce (Anna) of Waukee and Sam Tribby of Stoughton, WI; and many other extended family members and good friends.
Connie was preceded in death by her parents Warren and Bethene Pierce; two brothers Raymonnd and Dwight Pierce; her aunt Irene Smith and many other aunts and uncles.

Source: Coon Rapids Enterprise - Thursday, September 21, 2017 Page 3