Donald Peter Pierce

Donald Peter Pierce, 70, died in peace on August 16, 2014, of terminal cancer in his home surrounded by his loved ones. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, August 22, at Spirit of Life Catholic Church, Mandan, with Rev. Msgr. Chad Gion officiating. A vigil/rosary will begin at 7:00 pm Thursday, August 21, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Donald Pierce the son of Ralph and Dorothy Pierce, was born March 11, 1944, in Bowman, ND. Don was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Scranton. He graduated from Scranton High School in 1962. He excelled in sports and loved working on the family farm and ranch with his parents and siblings. He was married to Fae Henderson on August 11th, 1962, in Scranton. Together they raised five children: two sons, Todd and Troy, three daughters, Darcy, Doreen, and Desiree. After his marriage to Fae, he attended barber school in Fargo, ND. They moved to Bowman in 1963, where he barbered and helped his parents and older brother, Duane, farm in Scranton until 1968. Don, Fae and their children moved to Parker, AZ in 1968, where he started a new career in real estate sales by receiving his broker's license. They returned back to Bowman in 1973. Don had a productive Real Estate business that would span over the next 40 years. He also was a cattle and sheep rancher, which he enjoyed immensely. Don and Fae were married 27 years and raised their five children in Bowman, ND. In June of 1993, he married Debra Taylor Olmsted. Don and Deb lived in Bismarck and started the businesses Dakota Properties and Advertisement. He loved his wife dearly, whom he recently lost on June 21st to terminal cancer. Don was a proud father and grandfather with a generous spirit and a big heart. He always believed, "that it was always better to give then to receive." He cherished his time with his grandchildren. He took them hunting, fishing, and boating whenever they spent time with him. He loved the outdoors. His passions were gardening, hunting, and fishing. He enjoyed giving friends and family the fruits of his labor from his passions. He was quick to make friends laugh with his sense of humor that he held on to the day of his passing. He always reminded his children when times got tough, "It is time to Cowboy Up." Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Dorothy Pierce; his eldest son, Todd Pierce; and wife Debra Pierce. Donald is survived by his brother Duane Karen Pierce of Scranton; sister Lavonne Frank Brown of Glen Ullin; Mother of his children, Fae Pierce of Tucson; son, Troy Kellie Pierce of Mandan; 3 daughters: Darcy Hermoso Mike Blanchard of Gig Harbor, WA, Doreen Shawn Murphy of Kauai, HI, and Desiree Pierce Robb Katic of Hermosa Beach, CA; step-children: Didre Matt Hillman of Bismarck, Jill Jeremiah Mollman of Salt Lake, UT, Dana Olmsted of SD; grandchildren: Brigette Steinle, Preston Pierce, Jordon Pierce, Zach Steinle, Nicole Hermoso, Pierce Murphy, Morgan Pierce, Jade Murphy, Maxwell Katic, Catherine Jensen, Davin Mollman and Brendin Mollman. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Elk Camp Grassick and Spirit of Life Catholic Church.

Donald Peter Pierce

March 11, 1944 - August 16, 2014