Huldah Jean Pierce

Huldah Jean Hyers Pierce, 98, was born in Toms River, New Jersey, on January 15, 1928, and passed away on March 20, 2026, in Stoughton, Wisconsin. She moved to Florida with her family and graduated from Coral Gables High School where she enjoyed playing clarinet in the marching band. She went on to attend Palm Beach Junior College. Her first job was a clerical position at the Southern California Gas Company in Oxnard where she moved with her friend and future sister-in-law Nelda. She met her future husband, Peter Pierce, at the wedding of a mutual friend. Pete and Jean were married in San Bernardino, California, on December 3, 1949, and had 60 wonderful years together. They moved to Madison, Wisconsin, in 1950, and two years later, together with Dick and Nelda Pierce, bought a farm in McFarland where they raised a family of six.

Jean was active in the ministries of McFarland Lutheran Church, serving as president of the church council, teaching Bethel Series, and attending many ELCA global mission events. Over the years she sponsored, mothered, and nurtured many people. She was an accomplished homemaker and an avid reader, even after her eyesight failed. Family and friends were central to her life. She is survived by her children Arthur (Diane) Pierce, Linda (Jim) Ellestad, Annette (Don) Stott, Huldah (Mark) Ellestad, Philip (Carrie) Pierce, and David (Leah) Pierce; daughters of the heart Truphosa, Mary, and Vivien; grandchildren Stephen, Anne, Sarah, Sam, Ruth, Tim, Pete, Curt, Ben, Evan, Dan, Joe, Adam, Toby, Aaron, Bradley, Holden, and Huldah; and 20 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by much-loved nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on April 10, 2026, at 11:00 am in MCFARLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5529 Marsh Rd., McFarland, WI. Visitation will start at 10 am and a luncheon will be served following the service. Burial will be at the Upper McFarland Cemetery.

For those not able to attend in person, please register at the following link to view a copy of Huldah’s service:

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=887604d2-8001-4e33-bb5e-9d4de0eda6b8

Memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and McFarland Lutheran Church in Jean Pierce’s honor. The family would like to thank the staff at Kettle Park Senior Living and Agrace Hospice for their loving care of her.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

5801 Highway 51, P.O. Box 105, McFarland

(608) 838-0655

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com