Rueben R. Pierce

Rueben R. Pierce, 86, of Moorhead, died Thursday, June 23, 2016 at the VA Medical Center in Fargo.

Rueben and his twin brother, Robert, were born April 30, 1930, in Ortonville, MN, to Ralph and Olga Haug Pierce. Rueben grew up and attended school in Fergus Falls, MN. One of his first jobs was driving a bread delivery truck for Park Region Bakery, and it was during this job that he met his future wife, Delores Rohde, while she was working at the Hanson Food Market in Hawley, MN. On January 14, 1951, Rueben and Delores were married in Hawley. Rueben was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951 along with his brother, and they served for two years up in Alaska. After completing his service with the Army, Rueben and Delores lived in both Hawley and Moorhead. Together they raised two sons, Mark and Gary.

Rueben drove a route for Superior Coffee Company for a number of years, and then began a career of long-haul, over-the-road truck driving. He drove semi for Victor Leeby, Walvatne Trucking and Miller Trucking, retiring in the mid-1980’s.

Rueben had many interests and hobbies including fishing, wood carving, metal-detecting, treasure hunting, tinkering in the garage and building just about anything, usually with lots of nails and screws. Rueben was a jokester, and loved pulling pranks on family and friends, but he was also a Good Samaritan at heart, doing everything he could to help those in need. Rueben had a love for animals, especially cats.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Delores; sons Mark Kim Pierce, Pelican Rapids, MN, and Gary Pierce, Fargo; honorary daughters, Terry Nellermoe and Tammy Cable Pierce; grandchildren, Jasmine Mitchell Foster, Tara Wes Zilmer, Jade Pierce, Sean Jenna Lacoursiere and Brittany Joel Calvert; and great-grandchildren Naomi and Jacob Foster, Kyle, Karsyn and Alivia Zilmer, Kataryna Calvert and Emma Lacoursiere.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his twin brother, Robert.