1
tree
planted in memory of Dorothy Ann Pierce
Obituary for Dorothy Ann Pierce
Dorothy Ann Pierce, 90, of Spokane, Washington, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Dorothy spent the last year of her life with her husband, Rich, her family, and under the care and comfort of the staff at Rockwood at Whitworth in north Spokane.
Dorothy was born on February 24, 1933, to Onnie and Gertrude Haivala on the family ranch near Buffalo, South Dakota. Shortly after the ranch home burned down, she went to live with foster parents Louise and Mary Brenisholz in Edgemont, South Dakota. There she found her love for God and has lived her faith ever since. She often said, “Jesus was my Good Sheperd even before He was my Savior.”
She met Rich at a youth group function in Hot Springs, South Dakota. They were married on August 28, 1952. In 1957 they moved to Spokane. In 1961 their son Glen was born and in 1962 their daughter Marianne arrived.
Dorothy worked for a few years for the Social Security Administration when the children were young and then stayed home until Glen and Marianne were approaching high school. At that time, she went back to school at Spokane Falls Community College and on to Eastern Washington University. She graduated in 1981 with a BA in Environmental Biology.
She went to work at the Veteran’s Hospital; then on to Housing and Urban Development where she was a project manager. By the time she retired she had 23 years in Civil Service. Dorothy went on to work for a non-profit, Love Your Neighbors Ministries. From 1981 to 1983 she coordinated the Spokane Junior Miss program.
Dorothy was very active in church at First Assembly of God, Ridgeview Assembly of God, and Northview Bible Church. In their retired years they attended an Assemblies of God church in Arizona. She taught various classes both to children and adults, and also helped coordinate Kid’s Camps, weddings, parties, and other church functions.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, foster parents, and siblings Marlene Haivala, Bill Haivala and Clara Braun. She is survived by her husband of 70 years Rich, son Glen (Traci), daughter Marianne Wilkes (Tom), six grandchildren, Megan Pierce Alefteras (Cameron), Dallas Pierce, Sam, Joe (Sheridan), Peter (Alexa) and Abby Wilkes, and four great grandchildren, Alayna, Brynlee and Tatum Alefteras and Mason Pierce. She has numerous nieces and nephews across the country.
She loved God and her family to the fullest. She noticed everyone in the room.
Dorothy’s Celebration of Life service will be held at Spokane First Church of the Nazarene, 9004 N. Country Homes Blvd, on Thursday, April 27 at 2:00 pm.
To plant a tree in memory of Dorothy Ann Pierce, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Celebration of Life
Thursday
27
Apr
2:00 PM
- 3:00 PM
Spokane First Church of Nazarene
9004 N Country Homes Blvd 9921
Spokane, WA 99218
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