Pierson, Arlie A. 1921-2015

PIERSON, BLAAS, SMITH

Posted By: Mary Holub (email)
Date: 6/29/2017 at 14:42:21

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, August 23, 2015

Arlie A. Pierson, 94, of Le Mars, died suddenly Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, at Floyd Valley Hospital, in Le Mars.

Arlie Archie Pierson was born June 8, 1921, on a farm near Rockwell City, to Richard and Letha (Smith) Pierson. He graduated from Lytton Consolidated High School in 1938.

He farmed with his father for five years before being drafted into World War II. He served in the 604th Army Engineer Camouflage Battalion for three years. While serving in the European Theater, he was awarded a silver battle star, four overseas service bars, the Victory Medal, a sharpshooter's medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Following his discharge from the service, Arlie attended and graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor of science degree in animal science in 1949.

In 1947, he was married to Lucille Blaas and they lived in Greenfield, where he served as the County Extension Director from 1949 to 1952 when they moved to Le Mars where he was the County Extension Director from 1952 to 1964.

At that time he joined the Le Mars Savings Bank as their agricultural representative. Arlie retired in 1986 as vice president of the bank.

Arlie was an avid golfer, fisherman and hunter all of his life.

He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Wasmer American Legion Post #241, N.R.A., Plymouth County Farm Bureau, the Plymouth Manor Care Review Committee and volunteered at the Floyd Valley Hospital cafeteria.

He is survived by his wife, Lucille, of Le Mars; a daughter, Colette Keelan and her husband Malley, of Lincoln, Nebraska; a son, Bruce Pierson and his wife Chikako, of Cincinnati, Ohio; three grandchildren: Sean Keelan of Lincoln, Nebraska, Maggie Keelan and her husband Tim Gault and their son Will, of Seattle, Washington, and Austin Pierson, of Cincinnati, Ohio; a brother, Ross Pierson and his wife Sue, of River Falls, Wisconsin; a sister Ardeth Hildreth and her husband Richard, of Rockwell City; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Grace Lutheran Church, in Le Mars, with the Rev. Tim Geitz, of Grace Lutheran Church, officiating. Interment will be at Rosehill Cemetery, in Rockwell City. Visitation will be after 5:30 p.m. today (Monday) at the Carlsen Funeral Home, in Le Mars, with a 7 p.m. prayer service at the funeral home. Visitation will continue Tuesday morning at the church from 9 a.m. until service time.