Cynde Irene Pierson

Cynde Pierson, 54, of Beacon passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends, Thursday, December 18, 2014, a Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa following a brief illness. Cynthia Irene Pierson, daughter of, Herbert Earl and Mary Louise (Crabtree) Richards, was born February 2, 1960 in Oelwein, Iowa. The family lived on a farm near Bussey and she attended Twin Cedars Schools. Cynde and her son moved to the Oskaloosa area in 1984. Cynde was employed by the Oskaloosa Herald and Shopper for more than 15 years. She worked in the circulation department where she assisted with assembly and inserts and as a route carrier with her long-time companion, Bill Kirk. After her job at the Herald ended, Cynde began volunteering at Mahaska Health Partnership. She welcomed all patients and visitors who came through the door with her sparkling smile and outgoing personality. She especially enjoyed giving stickers and suckers to the children. Despite her health challenges, Cynde never complained, but instead worried about others. She took great pride in helping anyone who she felt needed a boost, her generous heart and fun-loving spirit touched all she met. In April of 2010, Cynde was awarded the Governors Volunteer Award. She was the first volunteer at MHP to be presented with this award and she was so proud. The State Fair was one of Cynde’s favorite times. Every year the family would park their camper in its reserved spot and spend as much time as possible taking in the sights, tastes and sounds of the fair between their paper routes. In her spare time Cynde loved shopping garage sales; she was always thinking of others and loved finding items for family and friends. Her special finds were holiday decorations, which she used to adorn her home for every holiday, again bring joy to everyone that drove by or stopped to visit. Cynde was a member of the Beacon United Methodist Church where she delighted in helping in any way possible from baking cupcakes to greeting. She was also a life-long member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 99. The true lights of Cynde’s life were her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, she looked forward to their visits immensely and enjoyed showering them with gifts. Cynde’s family includes her son and daughter-in-law, Charles “Chuck” Allen and Nicole “Nikki” Pierson of Iowa, but presently serving in Kuwait; her grandchildren: Jordan and Miley; her mother, Mary Richards of Oskaloosa; her brothers, Joe (Pat) Richards of Montezuma and Gene Richards of Tracy; and her niece, Andrea and nephews, Jeremy and Dustin. In addition to her father, Cynde was preceded in death by her long-time companion, Bill Kirk. Funeral Services for Cynde will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 23, at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Pastor Roger White of the Beacon United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Bluff Creek Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Monday; the family will be present from 5-7 p.m. to greet visitors. Memorials may be made to Mahaska Health Partnership Foundation. PDF Printable Version

Cynde Irene Pierson

February 2, 1960 - December 18, 2014