Catherine Pierce

Catherine Gilbertson Pierce, was born May 8, 1915 in Crosby North Dakota at her Parents home, Carl and Olena Gilbertson. Catherine was baptized at Concordia Lutheran Church On June 6, 1915 in Crosby. Catherine lived in lignite, Starkweather & Kenmare North Dakota as a child and graduated as a valedictorian from Kenmare High School amidst the depression of 1932. In her valedictorian address, seventy-seven years ago, she ended the speech with the following, quote: i"And now, fellow classmates the class of this year will soon separate, never again to be united in the class room, May prosperity and happiness attend both teacher and classmates in their future carrier. Many object to our English phrase "good-bye" on the ground that is sounds to hopeless, never-the-less it is the most appropriate word, for in a deep sense our parting is real and final." /i As then as now, we say our final good-byes to Catherine.Catherine attended two local colleges NDSU and Concordia, In Moorhead while attending Concordia College she met Loren Pierce and they were united In Marriage on March 19, 1936.At Concordia she was active in the band, chorus and one of her favorite activities was girls college basketball. Catherine was a 50 year member of the Moorhead Fargo Area Music club, a Patroness of Sigma Alpha Iota, Music fraternity, a 50 year Member of PEO both in Clearwater Florida and Fargo.With a small amount of borrowed money In 1939 Loren and Catherine entered the mobile home business, in North Moorhead, at the present site of Moorhead Center Mall. Catherine worked with Loren in those early years in the Business. Catherine through the years was Loren's partner in supporting his business interests. Through the years the business expanded through the upper Midwest with the marketing of homes throughout the United States. In later years the company activities transitioned into a number of residential and commercial developments. Loren & Catherine celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2006.Catherine was an avid golfer Playing into her eighties and bridge player at the Cove Cay Country club in Clearwater Florida and the Fargo country Club. In the mid eighties Catherine on one of the first Compaq personnel computers began writing her family history. She wrote much about her father Carl, or "Papa" as she would call him and the influence that he had on her.Carl was the superintendent of the schools in Kenmare, North Dakota, along with the superintendent job he would teach, Latin, bookkeeping, and Norse.Through the years with her musical interests she was an active church organist and pianist. Catherine had the ability to "Play by Ear" without music and retained these abilities in her nineties. Catherine had a special bond with her sister younger sister Harriet whose had similar musical interests. Catherine and Loren were members of the Saint Petersburg Florida Yacht club and spent many memorable times in Florida over the years entertaining their relatives and friends.Catherine and Loren moved from Moorhead in 1958 to their farm in Oakport, where they resided until 1995, then moved to 420 Park Place in Fargo. During these periods they wintered in Clearwater Florida. For many years Catherine provided Sunday dinners at the Pierce Farm, the gathering place for relatives and friends.Catherine spent her remaining years at the Waterford in Fargo and passed away at the Bethany Nursing home in Fargo under the care of Hospice.Catherine led a full and long productive life, she will be missed by her friends and family. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the Waterford, Bethany and Hospice for their extraordinary fine care of Catherine.Catherine is survived by her three children, Joan Peter Lazorenko, West Fargo, ND, Richard MaryAnn Pierce, Moorhead, MN, and Carl Emily Pierce, Moorhead, MN; eight grandchildren, Michelle Shulse, Williamstown, MA and Charleston, S.C., Jodi Doug Barlow, Red Wing, MN, Susan Mike Puppe, Northfield, MN, Karen Noll, West Fargo, ND, Donald Lazorenko, West Fargo, ND, Christopher Mia Pierce, Fargo, ND, Stephanie David Alstead, Minneapolis, MN, Ryan Pierce, Moorhead, MN; thirteen great-grandchildren, Eric and Megan Shulse, Hanna, Jack and Brian Barlow, Brynn, Nora and Ayla Puppe, Paige Lazorenko, Tylor and Brannon Noll, and Kai and Anika Pierce; sister, Harriet Klein, Bismarck, ND; nieces, Karen Mitch Brook, North Hampton, NH, Colleen Erhard Joerchel, Moscow, Russia; and nephews Cameron Klein, Bismarck, ND and Rodney Paulson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Loren; her parents, Carl & Olena Gilbertson; brother-in-law, Richard Klein; half brother, Russel Paulson; half sister, Hazel Paulson and great-grandchildren, Aiden and Owen Puppe. Memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.