Gwendolyn Pierce

Gwendolyn F. East Pierce, 97 of Cedar Rapids formerly of Lakeland, Florida, died August 23, 2011 at the Northbrook Care Center in Cedar Rapids.

Gwendolyn was born April 4, 1914 in Berwick, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Clarence and Hazel (Lynn) East.  She married Robert Stalford Pierce whom she met while both were working at IBM in Endicott, New York on December 22, 1938 in San Francisco, California.  Throughout her life Gwen lived in the Endicott, Rochester and Poughkeepsie, New York areas, retiring with her husband to Raleigh, North Carolina and Lakeland, Florida.  In later years she moved to Iowa City and Cedar Rapids to be closer to her son.

She is survived by her son, Gale (Janet) Pierce of Cedar Rapids, and daughter in law, Eileen Pierce of Bergenfield, New Jersey, six grandchildren, Joseph (Carol) Pierce of Washingtonville, New York, Katie Pierce of Brick, New Jersey, Patricia Pierce of Bergenfield, New Jersey, Bill (Judy) Pierce of Ft. Worth, Texas, Jennifer (Harold) Shoemaker, Dana (Daniel) Eberle of Cedar Rapids, five great grandchildren, Ryan and Conner Pierce of Washingtonville, New York Holden, and Hayden and Harlow Pierce of Ft. Worth, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert S. Pierce, Sr, her son Robert S. Pierce, Jr, a sister, Jean Honnick Keith, and her parents, Clarence and Hazel East.

Per Gwen's request her body has been cremated.  A private family service will be held with burial at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Sharon Center, Iowa.   In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery.