Christine Pierce

The memorial service celebrating the life of Christine "Chris" Pierce of Bertha will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 18, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena with Pastor Nate Loer presiding. Chris passed away at the age of 70 years on Sunday, July 3, 2022, at her home in Bertha with family by her side and under the gentle care of Knute Nelson Hospice and Homecare. Christine “Chris” May Pierce (Ganske) was born to Wallace & Maybelle (Schewe) Ganske on June 12, 1952 at Thiel Hospital in Bertha MN. She spent her childhood growing up on a farm east of Bertha. Chris attended country school in Bartlett Township, MN until 6th Grade. Part of her 8th Grade school year was in Eagle River, AK. She finished her school years at Staples High School and graduated in 1970. Chris became a parent to Angela Hope (1972) and Jerrett Thomas (1980). After high school Chris started to work for the Northwestern Bell phone company. She started as a long distance operator, worked as a pole climber, phone technician and ended her career as the manager of a warehouse at the phone company. Chris’s career at the phone company kept her moving. She lived in many different places around the state of MN. Her job also took her to Santa Fe, NM where she retired in 2002 from Qwest. She moved to Lampasas, TX and then back to Bertha, MN to be with her family and friends. After retirement she worked part time at Home Depot in Marble Falls, TX and at Seven Oaks Express in Bertha. Chris enjoyed gardening, landscaping, and working on her art. Recently, she started wood art projects. She was a very accomplished artist painting murals, landscapes, still life, and animals. She enjoyed going to auctions with her brother Gerald, and appreciated the time she spent with her Thursday night supper club friends. Chris was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her children, Angela (Brian) Smith of Blaine, MN and Jerry Youngs of Philbrook, MN; brother, Gerald Ganske (Peggy Peltier) of Hewitt, MN; and nephew, Mitchell Ganske of Bertha, MN. Honorary Urn Bearers will be her grandchildren: Leon Smith, Tatyana Smith, Austin Youngs and Lillyan Youngs. Urn Bearer will be her son Jerry Youngs. Burial will be next to her parents at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Bartlett Township, MN.

Christine Pierce

June 12, 1952 - July 3, 2022