TOMAH -Jeffrey “Jeff” Lee Pierce, 63, of Tomah, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Serenity House in Tomah. He was born to Wilmer “Jack” and Lois (Wildes) Pierce on Nov. 29, 1960, at Tomah Memorial Hospital. He was baptized at the Methodist Church in Tunnel City and confirmed at the First United Methodist Church in Tomah. Jeff was a member of the Tomah Senior High School Graduating Class of 1979.
As a kid, Dad discovered his love for life in the country. He rarely missed an opportunity to visit Grandma Helen’s farm, bale hay at Von Haden’s or travel to Tunnel City just to talk about the most recent deer hunt. He spent some time welding wood stoves, stoking fires at Ft McCoy, working for Union Camp and always had a love for cutting wood.
Dad lived South of Tomah on a dead-end road surrounded by acres of peace and quiet. He was a simple man who didn’t want fancy things; he always “lived within his means”. Cows were one of his passions and we could always find him reading a bull book. The man was a capsule of knowledge that remembered pedigrees and EPD’s from 20 years ago.
Dad had a love for hunting and the comradery it provided. He loved to tell a good deer story and head to Deano’s Garage to get “The Report”. He hunted his whole life and never shot a big buck, until he got sick. The last 2 years he finally bagged the trophy deer he was always searching for; he said “The Big Guy knew his time was running out and threw him a bone”. His last trophy hunt was shared with Grandson Tate. Tate was actually able to successfully “sneak” Grandpa’s deer head into the Serenity House.
Recently, Dad found joy in reloading ammunition and it turned into a family ordeal. Maranda spent many hours learning about ammunition just to order more supplies. Hours before he moved into the Serenity House he reloaded a box of shells with Zac just so he could pass the torch and teach him the right way to do things.
Being from Wisconsin he loved watching the Packers. In October of 2022, he finally made the journey to Lambeau Field with Kevin, Maranda, Katherine, Zac, Jenn, Ivan, and Tate. Dad was so happy to have this opportunity.
Summer of 2021, we found out Dad was sick and our lives were forever changed. On July 13, 2022, we finally received confirmation of our worst nightmare - Pancreatic Cancer. We knew early on we wouldn’t have much time and we started preparing ourselves and started making memories. Initially, Dad was given 6 months, and here we are almost 2 years later, only proving what a stubborn fighter he really was. Maranda and Zac made sure he never went to a doctor’s appointment alone. Dad was an independent proud man who lived on his own until the very end. He decided he wasn’t safe at home anymore and moved into the Serenity House 5 short days before he lost his battle to “The Beast”.
Dad was a talker and no matter where he went he could make a friend and talk…probably for hours. If you had a conversation with Dad, there is no doubt, you knew how proud he was of his family. He was a proud dad to Maranda and Zac; and there is no denying his greatest pride and joy are the ones that call him Grandpa.
Grandpa was his greatest title. Ivan, Katherine, Tate, and Caroline already miss their Grandpa immensely. Christmas meant so much to him and he worked so hard to make Christmas special for the kids. One of his favorite things to do was place the gifts under his pink tree in just the right spots and watch their faces light up when they walked in and saw the tree. The last few Christmases were extra special. He spent days and miles traveling with Uncle Kevin to find “just the right guns” for everyone. Dad was sentimental and put so much thought into every gift he ever gave. From guns for Zac and David, meaningful prints for Maranda and Jenn, matching guns for the grandkids, Golden Boys for Ivan and Tate and diamond earrings for Katherine and Caroline…every single gift given was perfect.
Ivan and Grandpa had a special bond. Ivan spent many hours in the house hanging with Grandpa eating snacks while Zac checked cows. Grandpa found so much joy in watching Ivan play hockey.
Katherine, “Gracie”, made her Grandpa so proud with her sheep showmanship abilities. He loved hanging out in the barn watching her shear sheep and practice with the fair animals. Grandpa also took it upon himself to personally buy her new softball equipment every year.
Tate, “Taters”, and Grandpa shared a hunting stand. One can only imagine the conversations that they shared in that stand. They spent hours in the woods and this last November bagged a trophy buck.
Caroline, “The Lion”, and Grandpa shared their love of silly jokes. Grandpa was known for showing up with Lion Biscuits on the weekends. He found great joy in the shenanigans and laughter she brought to his life.
Dad was always there, never missing a single activity. He will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved him. While we have lost our dad, many have lost a friend and loved one in him.
He is survived by his daughter Maranda (David) Schreier of Sparta and a son Zacry (Jenn) Pierce of Bangor, four grandchildren Ivan, Katherine, Tate and Caroline, his mother Lois Pierce of Tomah, a sister Phyllis (Gerald) Olsen of Wyeville, brothers Wes (Julie) Pierce of Warrens and Kevin (Linda) Pierce of Warrens, special friends that are like family Josh (Krysta) Bever, Tiffany (Chad) Pergande, Kyle and Megan Seichter, Ryan Seichter and Bob (Shawn) Whaley. Many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wilmer “Jack” Pierce.
The entire family extends a heartfelt thank you to “The Girls” at the Infusion Center, Michelle with Palliative Care, the staff at UW Health, and the entire staff of the Serenity House. There are not enough Thank You’s in the world for helping us earn more time with Dad.
His request is that everyone wear jeans and a t-shirt in support of an organization that you love; it doesn’t matter if it’s hockey, basketball, football, 4-H or show choir.
A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 11:00 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church, 1105 Butts Ave. Pastor Claudia Deede will officiate. Burial will be in the Greenfield Cemetery, Tunnel City.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 PM. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St. Tomah, and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfhl.com.
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home
