Joel G. Pierce
March 02, 2022
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Service Details
Joel G. Pierce, 85, passed away March 2, 2022, at his home in Urbandale. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1105 Grand Avenue in West Des Moines. Service will be livestreamed . Visitation will take place Monday, March 28 from 5-7 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway also in West Des Moines.
Joel was born and raised in Mason City, Iowa, the son of Clifford J. and Gail (Olson) Pierce. He was a graduate of Mason City High School, Mason City Junior College, Parsons College and Drake University. He attended the University of Iowa for one year prior to his National Guard service and was a lifelong Hawkeye fan.
He began his long career in education at Clive School in 1961 and retired from West Des Moines Community Schools having served 7th and 8th grade students as a math teacher, Principal and Assistant Principal. During his career, he left education for a few years and was a Polk County Juvenile Court Referee.
Joel married his good friend, Ronda (Ridnour), at St. Mark Lutheran Church in June 1982. He unabashedly referred to her as “my angel”. His faith and St. Mark’s were central parts of life and he actively committed to serving there and in the community.
Joel valued simplicity, enjoyed people and appreciated life. He loved being outside, doing work, sports, camping, and time at their Minnesota lake cabin. He relished planning and making trips with family or friends, especially driving by car, van or RV.
Cherishing life’s memories are wife, Ronda; sons, Justin (Annette) of Urbandale, Mason of Chicago; nieces and nephews, Ann Kooiker of Becker, MN, Kay (Jim) Wessels of Corpus Christi, TX, Ryan (Sarah) Ridnour of Lenexa, KS, Melissa (Michael) Mlakar of Portland, OR and Mitch (Lisa) Ridnour of Chicago; also, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ron and Kathy Ridnour of Ames.
Preceding Joel in death were sister and brother-in-law, Suzanne and Grant Cornwell of Des Moines and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Richard and Verla Ridnour of Perry, IA.
Joel’s cremains will be buried in late spring at Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry, IA with a private ceremony.
Special thanks to WesleyLife Hospice staff for their care and support during the last weeks.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution in Joel’s name to Food Bank of Iowa, 2220 E. 17th St, Des Moines, IA 50316 or St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1105 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50265.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Livestream Link: for Joel Pierce Service
Terry & Maribel Slinde
03/20/2022
"I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death.
They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make.
Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.
We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love."
--Leo Buscaglia
Our thoughts are with you Ronda, Jason and Mason
Roger C Waugh
03/20/2022
So sorry to hear of Joel's passing. May the memory of his love sustain you and your family.
Jim Mayse
03/15/2022
Joel was a fellow administrator and a good friend. It was a pleasure joining the West Des Moines schools, especially considering good friends such as Joel and Tom Drake. They were a good pair!
Speaking of great pairs, Ronda was the perfect fit for Joel. I am certain they balanced one another very well. I know she made his life more complete. My condolences to all of the family. May God continue to be with you.
Ron Reighard
03/14/2022
Joel Pierce was a very special person to me. He was instrumental in my being hired for my teaching job, 8th grade U.S. History at Hillside Jr. High, as he was the administrator who interviewed me. The building principal at Stilwell Jr. High, Jim Stone, with whom I had visited on a number of occasions, referred my name to him.
We have all had special people in our lives who made our lives better. I call those people "key influentials". By hiring me, Joel was definitely someone who made my life better. The beginning of my career as a classroom teacher was enhanced by his leadership as the building principal at Hillside Jr. High. I have always thought of Joel as more than my principal. He was also a good friend. He believed in me when at times I may not have believed in myself. I am now a retiree, but as I look back on my relationship with Joel, I am reminded that he was instrumental in my life and career as a teacher.
I will greatly miss him, and will never forget him. My love goes to his family.
John Rains
03/13/2022
I only met Joel one time, but over the years heard a lot about him from Ronda. Ronda has be a good friend from HS and College. Ronda, I am so sorry for the struggles Joel and you endured for the last several years. I always felt you had a good life with Joel and I know you will miss him dearly!
Dennis Moore
03/11/2022
As a former junior high math student of Joels, I will remember his kind and gentle ways in the classroom. As a high school student walking home from school, I will remember Joel waving and saying my name as he left Stilwell. As a colleague of his, I will remember his competent guidance and servant leadership. Saying goodbye is difficult, but Im glad our paths crossed 58 years ago. Joel left me a better person and the world a better place.
Twylla Kerr
03/10/2022
I hardly know where to begin. Joel was a kind, funny, loving person. He made trips with Ronda and I to the cabin several times and we all enjoyed it. He trusted me to take care of Ronda when we were out and that we wouldn't get into any trouble. As my vice-principal, I loved his style with kids. He said to always be "fair and firm". It was great advice when working with junior high students. He will be so missed.
Lisa Houchins
03/09/2022
Ronda & family - I'm so sorry for your loss. Joel was a wonderful person and co-worker, and I know he will be missed. Thinking of you all.
Scott Cooper
03/09/2022
My family and I were blessed in 2 ways with the Pierce family. The first blessing was that we were neighbors to the Pierce family when I was a little kid through high school, 70s thru late 80s on 75th street in Clive. It was a great neighborhood for kids to grow up in.
The second blessing was that Joel was the Assistant Principle at Indian Hills Jr High where I attended. There were a few times that I needed some guidance to help me through whatever challenge were in front of me at the time. Together with Mr. Hulling (another very close neighbor and counselor at Indian Hills), these two were able to keep me on the correct path of life.
Joel was a very kind and caring soul and he had a very calming presence. I have a special place in my heart for all the educators that made a huge difference in my life and he is at the top of my list.
Sorry for your loss,
The Cooper Family
John & Shirley Runn, Laura, Jennifer and juliet
03/08/2022
We all were taught and encouraged by Joel and Rhonda. We recall our associations with them, both in professional liaisons, and in the times of visits in other venues too. Goodbye dear Joel, have a wonderful journey.
Chuck and Karen
03/08/2022
So sorry to hear of Joel's passing. May the memory of his love sustain you and may God comfort you and give you strength during this difficult time.
Christine Peterson
03/08/2022
Ronda and Pierce family
What a lovely man Joel was. I enjoyed working with him at Indian Hills so much, and we would often discuss our love of the northwestern steakhouse and Bills Ribs. It was so nice to have a fellow Mason City native when I was new to DSM. He will be missed and remembered with such love and fondness.
Brian Boerner
03/07/2022
I never had the privilege of working with Joel, but knew him through Ronda at Indian Hills. He was a very gentle soul and always thought of others before himself.
God truly received an angel!
Prayers to Ronda and family.