Pierce, Gwendolyn F. East

Gwendolyn F. East Pierce, 97, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Lakeland, Fla., died Aug. 23, 2011, at Northbrook Manor Care Center in Cedar Rapids. 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.

Gwendolyn was born April 4, 1914, in Berwick, Pa., the daughter of Clarence and Hazel (Lynn) East. She married Robert Stalford Pierce, who she met while both were working at IBM in Endicott, N.Y., on Dec. 22, 1938, in San Francisco, Calif. Throughout her life Gwen lived in the Endicott, Rochester and Poughkeepsie, N.Y., areas, retiring with her husband to Raleigh, N.C., and Lakeland, Fla. 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; daughter-in-law, Eileen Pierce of Bergenfield, N.J.; six grandchildren, Joseph (Carol) Pierce of Washingtonville, N.Y., Katie Pierce of Brick, N.J., Patricia Pierce of Bergenfield, N.J., Bill (Judy) Pierce of Fort Worth, Texas, Jennifer (Harold) Shoemaker and Dana (Daniel) Eberle of Cedar Rapids; and five great-grandchildren, Ryan and Conner Pierce of Washingtonville, N.Y., and Holden, Hayden and Harlow Pierce of Fort 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.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Sharon Center.