Stanley Pierce

Obituary for
Stanley H Pierce

STANLEY H. PIERCE, 92

American Fork, Utah – Stanley H. Pierce was born April 23, 1925, in Payson, Utah, the son of Cora Hiatt and Angus Franklin Pierce. He passed away peacefully at his home in American Fork, Utah on October 30, 2017.

Arriving at his parents’ home in early spring, he inherited a rich pioneer heritage and was the welcomed child of a large extended family. Ultimately having five brothers and sisters, and six half brothers and sisters, didn’t make for a ‘life full of riches’, but it did make for a ‘rich full life’ as Stanley would attest some 92 years later.

At the young age of two, he moved with his family from Utah to southeastern Idaho, to break out land and homestead east of Aberdeen in 1927. As a youth he attended local schools and graduated from Aberdeen High school in 1944. He married his sweetheart Doris Jolley on December 19, 1945 in the Idaho Falls Temple; the couple sharing over 71 years of marriage together.

Following their marriage, Stanley and Doris purchased ground east of the original Pierce homestead. The next four decades they lived on the land they broke out of sagebrush, over time turning rocky ridges and uncultivated vistas near the American Falls Reservoir into fertile productive soil. Smaller parcels they had originally rented were gradually added to the operation until the family farm consisted of 550 acres. 1962 became a landmark year with completion of the new brick home; and the family moving in the day Doris returned from the hospital and the birth of the couple’s last child.

Here they raised their six children, Kathy (Harlow) Andersen, Marilyn (Clifford) Whyte, Brent (Anne) Pierce, Monte (Julie) Pierce, Nina (Tom) Biesinger, and Tammy (Dan) Nelson. Teaching them to work hard and become productive citizens was a natural bi-product of the family farm where there were always cows to milk, pipe to move, rock to pick, and crops to harvest.

A devoted member of the LDS Church, Stanley served in various capacities in the American Falls Stake including Bishop of the Aberdeen First Ward and stake high councilman. A dedicated student of the scriptures, he taught Gospel Doctrine for over 30 years and as a Seventy served twelve years as a stake missionary. He and his wife Doris enjoyed serving for many years as ordinance workers in the Idaho Falls, Bountiful, Salt Lake and Timpanogos LDS Temples.

Adverse farming conditions in 1987 led to the Pierce’s leaving the Aberdeen area and the home they had created for over forty years. The heartbreaking challenge to leave behind the only life they had ever known required deep faith and courage, but it also led to unseen opportunity as the couple moved to Idaho Falls to pursue work. At age 60, when many are looking toward retirement, Stanley retrained his mind and refocused his efforts to gain an insurance license and become an Independent Real Estate Broker. In 1989, new skills and the career change took them to Utah where he developed Pierce Real Estate and Financial Services, working well into his late seventies.

Living in close proximity to several of their children, they have made their home in Utah for the past three decades. Currently residing in American Fork, Utah, health conditions incidental to age required Stanley to receive Hospice Care the past several weeks; allowing him to remain at home with his beloved wife, Doris the remainder of his days and be attended by the family that he loved. At the time of his passing his posterity included 21 Grandchildren and 30 Great Grandchildren.

Stanley was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Harlow Andersen, and grandson Lynn Andersen. He is survived by his wife, Doris and one sister Ramona Anderson, the last surviving sibling of their generation.
Deceased siblings include: Leo Pierce, Lois Babb, Hazel Becker, Ethel Claunch; half brothers and sisters Lynn, Clare, Claude and (infant Dorothy) Taylor; Florence, Beulah and Ralph Pierce; and (infant, Angus Broadbent).

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 4, 2017 at the American Fork 38th Ward, 2433 West 450 South, Pleasant Grove, Utah 84062.
9:30 to 10:45 AM –Viewing and Family Prayer
11:00 AM – Funeral Service

Arrangements under the direction of the Nelson Family Mortuary, 4780 N University Ave. www.nelsonmortuary.com