Maryann "Mary" Ida Pierce

Mary Pierce of Rush City passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at the University of Minnesota Hospital-Fairview in Minneapolis at the age of 78.

Maryann Ida Schultz was born January 16, 1941 to Anton and Clara (Reno) Schultz in Superior, Wisconsin.  She was their only child and grew up in Bertha, Minnesota. As a child, she hoped and prayed for a brother or a sister. She often said that she loved the story of Moses and the bulrushes and she would look in the garden under the cabbage leaves, hoping to find a baby.

On September 5, 1959 Mary married James Albert Pierce.  They lived in Oklahoma, North Carolina, and settled in Verndale, Minnesota. While she did not realize her dream of having a brother or sister; she and James were blessed with six children.  While growing up Mary often felt lonely.  With her family of six children no one would grow up feeling as she did.  Her family was always the most important thing to her. More special than having children of her own, was when she became a “Granny”.

Her entire life revolved around working and serving people of all ages.  Over the years she worked as a Deputy County Assessor and a bus tour guide.  She eagerly volunteered her time with many organizations; Girl Scouts, vacation Bible school, Sunday school and the list goes on and on but her favorite jobs were mom (most of the time) and Granny (all of the time).

She lived, she laughed, she loved … she left.  This is the entirety of what mom wanted said. 

Her family wanted to add a bit more.  When you think of Mary, please remember her love of family, friends who became family and her love of animals. Also remember her: sense of humor, passion for color, music, theater, adventure, travel, cooking, and her ability to make the best of every situation.

Mary is survived by and will be missed by her adoring husband Jim; children: Melonie (Brian) Thymian, Monica (Curtis) Richmond, Melissa (Ray) Anderson, Michele (Scott) Almquist, Joe (Marsha Ritten) Pierce, Janell (Brad) Cully; grandchildren: Matthew Thymian, Sarah Richmond, Shawna Richmond, Mackenzie Almquist, Madison Almquist, Ryan Almquist, Mason Ritten, Spencer Ritten, Cade Ritten, Jordan Cully and Hannah Cully; great-grandchildren: Logan Triplett, Regina Mailhot; many special cousins, sisters and brothers-in-laws, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Tony and Clara Schultz.

Funeral services for Mary: 4 PM; Saturday, May 4, 2019 with a time for family and friends to gather one hour prior to the service all at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City. The interment will take place at a later date in Verndale at the Green Lawn Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed in Mary’s memory to:  Hope Lodge American Cancer-2500 University Ave. S.E. Minneapolis, MN 55414; or the Rush City Community Center, PO Box 556, Rush City, MN 55069

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel
www.FuneralAndCremationService.com