Dorothy Mae Pierce

Dorothy Mae Pierce passed away peacefully on January 11, 2025 at the Onalaska Care Center at the age of 91. Dorothy was born on 11/10/33 in Stoddard, WI, to Walter and Lillian Sobkowiak, and grew up on the family farm. 

Dorothy married Thomas Pierce on 6/12/51 at St. John’s Catholic Church in La Crosse, WI. During her life, she worked at Mc Loone, La Crosse Floral, La Crosse Country Club, and West Salem School District as a bus driver. She also helped Tom on their farm, raised 4 kids, and provided foster care to many children and adults.

Dorothy loved to garden and was known for her large rhubarb patch. Her rhubarb crunch was a favorite. She supplied rhubarb to local grocery stores, and to the Onalaska Care Center when her sister, Irene, worked there. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and filling up her canning cellar. The grandkids enjoyed sneaking chocolate chip cookies and strawberry jam out of the freezer. Dorothy was a regular rider on the casino bus, and when she couldn’t go anymore, she enjoyed doing puzzles.

Dorothy is survived by her sons Tim (Laura) and Terry (Sheryl); daughters Deanne Williams and Danette (Tim) Coorough; grandchildren Alex (Jody) Williams, Kelsey Williams, Jeff (Beki) Jankowski, Amanda Jankowski (Jacob Kneifl), Jason Coorough, Trever Coorough (Kylee Rostvold), Alyssa Coorough (Kyler Jehu), Ashley Pierce, Terry Pierce, Cole (Karmen) Younger, Graylen Stiehl, Ian Stiehl, Hannah Stiehl, Asher Stiehl, Brandon Pierce, Emily Pierce; great-grandchildren Aria Jade, Terry Pierce Jr., Rylee Mae Pierce, Taylor Younger, Shianne Younger, Julius Stiehl, Janelle Stiehl, Russell Stiehl.

She is also survived by siblings and spouses Daniel (Margie), Ronald (Sally), Dennis (Linda), Annette (Bob) Manuel, Bernard (Debra), and sisters-in-law Mary Sobkowiak and Dorothy Roesler.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas, parents Walter and Lillian Sobkowiak, sisters Bernadine Sobkowiak and Irene Hauser; brothers James, Robert, Charles, Aloysious, and Donald; and many brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Onalaska, WI. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the church, Mass at 11 a.m., luncheon to follow Mass, then burial at Onalaska City Cemetery. Officiants are Msgr. Steve Kachel and Concelebrant Fr. Mark Pierce. Server Emily Pierce, pallbearers Alex, Kelsey, Brandon, Amanda, Jeff, Terry, Ashley.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to St. Patrick’s school building fund.

The family would like to thank the Onalaska Care Center for the wonderful care they provided over the 11 years that mom was there. They would also like to thank Dr Caroline Fisher and Cindy Glennie, N.P. for their care and support.