PIERCE, Gertrude Ellen

PIERCE, KAUFFMAN, ROGERS

Posted By: Nancy (email)
Date: 2/13/2003 at 21:56:51

March 1, 1945 Morning Sun News-Herald
I am not related to Mrs. Pierce and have no further information.

Mrs. L.R. Pierce Dies After Brief Illness
FUNERAL SERVICES MONDAY FOR PROMINENT MORNING SUN WOMAN

Gertrude Kauffman Pierce, wife of L.R. Pierce, died at Burlington hispital Friday at 9:45 pm after an illness of several weeks. It had been known to members of the family for some time that Mrs. Pierce was not in good health, but not until recent weeks did her illness become alarming. News of her death came as a distinct shock to many of her friends in this community.

Mrs. Pierce was a woman of many talents and she lived an unusually active and vigorous life. Many of the organizations which form the very heart of the Morning Sun community have profited largely by her influence and inspiration. She was devoted to the work of her church and spent much time and energy in promoting the welfare of religious organizations. At the time of her death she was chairman of the Louisa County Federated Women's Clubs, historian of the American Legion Auxillary, chairman of the Louisa County Republican Women's Committee, and a member of the Morning Sun Library board.

Funeral services were held at the United Presbyterian Church Monday at 2 pm. The services were in charge of the pastor, Rev. E.F. Kimmelshue, who was assisted by Rev. W.J. Griffin of Stronghurst, Illinois, Rev. H.G. Patterson and Dr. James H. Grier, president of Monmouth College. Burial was at Elmwood Cemetery.

OBITUARY

Gertrude Ellen Kauffman, daughter of Edward and Mary Rogers Kauffman, was born July 26, 1891 at Valley Falls, Kansas. She graduated from Valley Falls High School and from Monmouth College in 1913. She served as principal and superintendent of the Hartford and Valley Falls High Schools and Latin instructor of the Central High School in St. Joseph, Missouri.

December 6, 1923 she was married to L.R. Pierce at Valley Falls, Kansas. Besides her husband she is survived by a daughter, Charlotte Ann, and a son, Leroy K., who is now a prisoner of war in Germany; two sisters, Mrs. Charlotte Zimmerman, Valley Falls, Kansas and Mrs. Anna Tice of Troy, New York. One brother preceded her in death a year ago.

Mrs. Pierce was an actor and devoted member of the United Presbyterian Church of Morning Sun. She was treasurer of the missionary society and the Keokuk Presbyterial, assistant superintendent and teaches in the Bible school. She also served as a member of the local library board, historian of the American Legion Auxiliary and chairman of the Louisa County Federated Women's Club.

After a brief illness she departed this life Friday, February 23, at 9:45 pm at the age of 53 years and 7 months