Pierson, Karen A.

Karen A. Pierson, age 74 of Galesburg, Illinois died on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at her homeShe was born on January 25, 1940 in Maquon, Illinois the daughter of Charles F. and Wilma L. West Little. She attended and graduated in 1958 from Galesburg High School. She married Jack Lee Pierson on January 7, 1962 in Knoxville, Illinois. He preceded her in death on July 25, 1982. Surviving are two daughters: Tammie (Richard) Brown of Dahinda, Illinois and Debbie (Martin) Welin of Galesburg, Illinois; two grandchildren: Aaron Welin of Galesburg, Illinois and Keary Wignall of Brimfield, Illinois; four great-grandchildren; and two step grandchildren: Nicole Cunningham of Galesburg, Illinois and Richard Brown of Galesburg, Illinois. Also surviving is one sister: Diane Lee of Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and one sister, Marlene. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
She worked at Dick Blick, the former Golden Cream Dairy of Galesburg and at the former Maytag of Galesburg, Illinois where she retired.

She wrote several poetry books. She was a tutor at Carl Sandburg College, Galesburg, Illinois. She participated in the Backyard Habitat Certificate Program. She was a past president and lifetime member of the VFW Post #2257 Ladies Auxiliary, a lifetime member of the Gold Star Wives of America, and a lifetime member of the Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post #285 Ladies Auxiliary. She was also a lifetime member of the Songwriters of America. She was a member of the Knoxville United Methodist Church, Knoxville, Illinois.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the Hurd Hendricks Funeral Home in Knoxville, Illinois. Visitation will be held at the funeral home one hour prior to the funeral service, from 12:00 P.M – 1:00 P.M. Interment will be at the Knoxville Cemetery, Knoxville, Illinois. Memorials may be left to the VFW Post #2257 Ladies Auxiliary. Online condolences and sympathy cards may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com