Joan Pierce

Joan Marie Pierce, 81, of Two Harbors, died Sunday, September 1st, 2013 surrounded by her family.

She was born to the late Halvor and Georgina (Johnson) Harstad on May 15th, 1932 in Sebeka, MN. Joan graduated from Sebeka High School in 1950 and received a LPN degree in Nursing from The Charles T. Miller School of Practical Nursing in 1952. She married Gilbert Pierce of Verndale, MN on April 16th, 1955 and they moved to the North Shore.

Joan worked as a LPN for many years at both nursing homes in Two Harbors. She was involved in many organizations through the years. She generously donated her time and skills by sewing, crocheting and other crafts to provide items to those in need as well as family and friends. She and Gilbert loved to travel and spent treasured times in their RV touring the country with the Honey Bee's (a camping club), not to mention numerous trips to Alaska to visit Gilbert's brothers. In 1993, they began to spend winters in San Benito, TX enjoying the warm weather and making wonderful friends. She looked forward to spring when she could come home and spend time with the family. She loved being a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. The children always brought a smile to her face. She loved to share her wonderful baking skills with family, at local functions, and at the fair.

Joan was preceded in death by her son, David Pierce and his wife, Nancy; and her brothers, Jerry and Gene.

She is survived by her husband, Gilbert of Two Harbors; sons, Calvin (Rita) Pierce of Two Harbors and Mark (Pam) Pierce of Duluth; 4 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; her sister, June (Russell) Tokhelm; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 10 AM until the 11 AM service on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Two Harbors. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Two Harbors.