Marjorie Eleanor Pierce

Marjorie Eleanor Pierce was born on March 19, 1922, to Arthur C. and Jennie Marie (Gustafson) Newquist and passed from this life on March 11, 2012 at age 89. Marjorie was born at home on a farm near Sumner and, aside from her college years, she spent her life living in the Sumner area. Marjorie graduated from high school in 1940 and attended Kearney State College to get her teaching certificate. Marjorie taught at a rural school near Sumner and in the Sumner school for seven years and after marrying taught for two more years. On June 4, 1948 Marjorie married Robert Pierce. They lived in a little house on the end of the main street in Sumner for 63 years. They filled that house with six children and Marjorie enjoyed entertaining her 18 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren there. Her cooking was something to relish and many did as her generosity was only limited by the number of people she could squeeze into the house. Many people enjoyed her hospitality and remember her dinner table fondly. She was faithful in sending cards and letters to family and friends for special occasions. Robert was Sumner’s Postmaster from 1958 to 1989 and Robert and Marjorie farmed with Marjorie’s parents for many years. Robert was surprised at how handy Marjorie was on the farm. She did everything from irrigating to mowing the lawn, and after her brother, Clifford, moved into the farm house she kept the farm house and her own house spotless. Only in her last few months did she allow others to do things for her even though she would much rather do for others. Marjorie took great pleasure in the activities of the Church in Sumner and served in many capacities including Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Church pianist, Women’s Ministries, and Bible School teacher. Marjorie was a member of the Park Valley Aid Society, gave piano lessons, and meticulously kept scrapbooks detailing every notable event in the family and community. Marjorie was family oriented and had no ambition but to teach her children, encourage her grandchildren and enjoy her great-grandchildren with every fiber of her being. Marjorie has two sisters, Mildred Newquist who lives in Lexington, NE and Dorothy Burckart who lives in Watertown, Wisconsin. Marjorie was preceded in death by her two brothers, Clifford Newquist of Lexington, NE and Clarence Newquist of Pataskala, Ohio, brother-in-law Edward Burckart and sister-in-law Helen Newquist. She was also preceded in death by her parents, one grandson, Joshua Mark Pierce of Miller, NE, and many beloved family members who are greeting her in Heaven. Marjorie is survived by her husband of 63 years, Robert Pierce of Sumner, and six children, eighteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and their families. Margene Bauer and husband Russel of Amherst and their children Craig, Brent and Melodee, Richard Pierce and his wife Janna (Bentley) Pierce of Miller and their children Justin and wife Jodi (Reissland), Jared and wife Andrea (Christ), Jace and fiancé Carissa VanSkiver, Tressi, Ron Pierce and his wife Brenda (Popp) of Sumner and their children Meredith, Geoffrey and Miranda, Marilyn Crouse and her husband Lynn and their children, Ryan and Kyle of Hutchinson, KS, and Nicole of Santa Clarita, CA, Marianne Pierce of Holdrege and Randy Pierce and his wife Jean (Hirsch) of Sumner and their children Jacob, Austin, Jaden, Alicia and Jenaya. Robert and Marjorie have five great-grandchildren:Kaci, Joshua and Kaylee Pierce of Amherst and Virgil and Everett Pierce of Philadlephia, PA. Funeral Services will be Saturday, March 17, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Church Of Sumner-East Campus with Pastor Ken Hutson, officiating. Burial will be in the Sumner Cemetery north of Sumner. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 15, 2012, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.Memorials are suggested to the Radio Station KJLT in North Platte, Press-On Ministry in Kearney Or the United Church Of Sumner. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please forward online condolences to the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com