Janet Elaine Pierce

Janet Elaine Pierce, 85, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 14, 2025, after a brief illness. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date at St. John’s Cemetery in Sharon Center, Iowa. Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids is assisting the family.

Janet was born on August 14, 1939, in Frytown, Iowa, to William and Helen (Eimen) Venzke. She graduated from Kalona High School and went on to earn her teaching degree from the University of Iowa with a focus on Home Economics. On November 8, 1969, Janet married Gale Pierce at Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City, Iowa. Janet dedicated her career to education, teaching at Algona High School, Washington, Iowa, Davenport Center, and Kirkwood Community College. She also served as a substitute teacher for the Cedar Rapids Community School District before retiring on December 31, 2001.

Janet was an active member of Hope Lutheran Church and their Spirited Seniors group. She always loved going on Wednesdays for lunch and a lively game of Bingo. She had a deep love for gardening and was known for her baking, especially her cut-out sugar cookies, brownies, and her famous ground cherry pie, which was Gale’s favorite. Janet was a loyal Hawkeye and after retirement she would avidly watch the men’s and women’s basketball games along with all the football games. Her family knew to not disturb her the day of the Kentucky Derby as she was watching all the pre-shows up until the race occurred.

Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Gale Pierce of Cedar Rapids; children, William (Judy) Pierce of Fort Worth, Texas, Jennifer (Harold) Shoemaker of Perry, Oklahoma, and Dana (Dan) Eberle of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Holden, Harlow, and Hayden Pierce; brother, Dale (Judy) Venzke; sister-in-law, Eileen Pierce; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Helen Venzke; brother, Raymond Venzke, and his wife, Kathy; and brother-in-law, Robert S. Pierce, Jr.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorial contributions in Janet’s name may be made to UnityPoint Health -St. Luke’s Hospice Cedar Rapids, Iowa or in care of the family to St. John’s Cemetery Association.