Obituary for Esther Marie "Peannie" Pierson (Smith)
Esther “Peannie” Marie Pierson (Smith) went to be with the lord on Friday, May 6, 2022, at the age of 89. She was born on April 2, 1933, in Onekama the daughter of Esther Smith (Falk) and Robert Smith. Esther met the love of her life, LaVerne Howard Pierson, of Manistee, while working at the soda fountain in Onekama and they were married in 1954. They built their current home and soon lovingly adopted Dena Marie Peterson (Pierson) and Ryan Robert LaVerne Pierson.
Esther was a housewife and managed day to day home life while LaVerne was working as chief engineer on the lower lakers. She lived in Onekama her entire life and was an active member of the community. Esther was very active in the Onekama Church of the Brethren serving as a deacon and a Sunday school teacher. Later in life Esther was voted in as President of the Village and served honorably for many years.
Family meant everything to Esther (blood or not), and she would always throw fun family gatherings at her home. Esther was an AMAZING cook and you NEVER left her home hungry; always cooking enough for an army. She LOVED being outside and you could always find her tinkering with her plants, out in the garden, or tending to the chickens, turkeys, and ducks. Deer hunting was something she also loved to do with the boys, and she was actively participating till she was about 80.
Esther is survived by her sister Sandra Majeski (Smith) of Muskegon, daughter Dena M. Peterson (Pierson) of Onekama, two CHERISHED granddaughters; Jadeyn Marie Peterson (New Smyrna Beach, FL) and Carleigh Weslyn Rylee Peterson (Onekama), two nephews who were more like sons; Ken (Ann) Murar, children Aryn (Adam), Zach (Maria) of Muskegon and Thomas Murar of Siesta Key, FL, a niece Kathy (Paul) Kuharevicz, children Dean, Keith, Neil, and Glen of Muskegon, and nephew Alan (Daughn) Majeski, children Andrea and Nathan Majeski of Muskegon, close cousin’s Ruth (Rod) Hudson of Onekama and Doug (Stacy) Shultz of Onekama/Florida and several other cousins who had a special place in her heart.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents, several loving aunts and uncles, her baby sister Sue Murar (Smith), her husband LaVerne Howard Pierson, and her son Ryan Robert LaVerne Pierson.
A special thanks to Hospice of Michigan and all the wonderful caregivers; Clayton, Laura, Melissa, Elaine, Betsy, and chaplain Mark O’Brien who gave my mom love and guided us through this very difficult time. I don’t know how we would have made it through without you.
It gives us great solace to know she is no longer in pain and is at peace in the loving arms of our Lord, her husband, son, and many other loved ones; God definitely gained a one of a kind!
A memorial service for Esther will be held on Sunday July 17, 2022 at Onekama Church of the Brethren at 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of Michigan in my loving mother’s name.
Please feel free to share a memory or photo with Esther’s family at www.oakgrovefh.com. The family has entrusted funeral arrangements with Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Manistee.
Esther was a housewife and managed day to day home life while LaVerne was working as chief engineer on the lower lakers. She lived in Onekama her entire life and was an active member of the community. Esther was very active in the Onekama Church of the Brethren serving as a deacon and a Sunday school teacher. Later in life Esther was voted in as President of the Village and served honorably for many years.
Family meant everything to Esther (blood or not), and she would always throw fun family gatherings at her home. Esther was an AMAZING cook and you NEVER left her home hungry; always cooking enough for an army. She LOVED being outside and you could always find her tinkering with her plants, out in the garden, or tending to the chickens, turkeys, and ducks. Deer hunting was something she also loved to do with the boys, and she was actively participating till she was about 80.
Esther is survived by her sister Sandra Majeski (Smith) of Muskegon, daughter Dena M. Peterson (Pierson) of Onekama, two CHERISHED granddaughters; Jadeyn Marie Peterson (New Smyrna Beach, FL) and Carleigh Weslyn Rylee Peterson (Onekama), two nephews who were more like sons; Ken (Ann) Murar, children Aryn (Adam), Zach (Maria) of Muskegon and Thomas Murar of Siesta Key, FL, a niece Kathy (Paul) Kuharevicz, children Dean, Keith, Neil, and Glen of Muskegon, and nephew Alan (Daughn) Majeski, children Andrea and Nathan Majeski of Muskegon, close cousin’s Ruth (Rod) Hudson of Onekama and Doug (Stacy) Shultz of Onekama/Florida and several other cousins who had a special place in her heart.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents, several loving aunts and uncles, her baby sister Sue Murar (Smith), her husband LaVerne Howard Pierson, and her son Ryan Robert LaVerne Pierson.
A special thanks to Hospice of Michigan and all the wonderful caregivers; Clayton, Laura, Melissa, Elaine, Betsy, and chaplain Mark O’Brien who gave my mom love and guided us through this very difficult time. I don’t know how we would have made it through without you.
It gives us great solace to know she is no longer in pain and is at peace in the loving arms of our Lord, her husband, son, and many other loved ones; God definitely gained a one of a kind!
A memorial service for Esther will be held on Sunday July 17, 2022 at Onekama Church of the Brethren at 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of Michigan in my loving mother’s name.
Please feel free to share a memory or photo with Esther’s family at www.oakgrovefh.com. The family has entrusted funeral arrangements with Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Manistee.