Jerry Pierson

Jerry Pierson, 77 of Wahpeton and formerly of Webster died on Saturday, December 03, 2016 at Bethany Nursing Home in Fargo. His funeral will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 8, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Webster, Rev. Ken Ballard will officiate. Burial with military rites will be at Webster Cemetery. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Wednesday 5-7 P.M. and prior to services at the church. Jerald “Jerry” Wayne Pierson was born on March 21, 1939 to August and Lucille (Burns) Pierson in Webster, South Dakota. He was the oldest of three children. He was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Webster. He attended school in Webster and graduated from Webster High School in 1958. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in October 1959. He served in Southeast Asia at onset of the Vietnam Conflict, as well as during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After his honorable discharge in August 1963 he lived in Vallejo, California and worked with his uncle, Harvey Burns in the Naval Shipyards. Jerry then pursued college at Black Hills State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education. He served as Human Resource Director at nonprofit and for profit entities in Watertown and Vermilion, South Dakota and Dickinson and Wahpeton, North Dakota. In 2004 he retired after twenty two years, while living in Wahpeton, working for Minn-Dak Cooperative. After he retired he continued to live in Wahpeton. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Kiwanis and Optimist Club. He enjoyed spending time with his family best, sports (golf, football, baseball) and always cheered for the underdog! Jerry peacefully passed away, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, December 3, 2016 in Fargo, North Dakota at the age of 77 years, 8 months and 12 days. Survivors include two sons, Chris (& Roxann White) Pierson of Brentwood, CA and Jeff (& Polly) Pierson of West Fargo, ND; one daughter, Abby (& Justin) Schreiber of Glyndon, MN; one brother, Scott Pierson of Minneapolis, MN; and seven grandchildren: McKale, Ava, Easton, Karly, Blake, Taryn and Michael. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Stacy Ann, and one sister, Lois.