Maggie never knew the easy road and wouldn't have taken it if she had. She knew grit and grace, with hands dirty of hard work that earned her way and were wide open to help. She knew and lived life working with others and alone, and she made a good life happen with whatever she had (and despite what she may not have had) in all the seasons of her beautiful life of 75 years this side of heaven.

She leaves us with lessons that will flow through generations to come because she is rooted in each of us who walked a thousand miles with her. Her spirit will continue to whisper to us long after these days of sadness have passed. She was tough as shit and hard as hell, a life full of both pride and sacrifice. She never allowed a child in her care to go without, and the ones she gave herself to know that in the deepest part of our souls.

Our family is so thankful that we stayed the course with her, and as she taught us so well, we stayed with her on the hard road that led her home. A traditional obituary would be unfair; a short story here may be more appreciated.

She was born, lived life, and died with her people, and we thank you for supporting us, loving us, and walking with us just as she asked of us.

The road was hard. She was worthy.

Margaret Audrey Pierce 10/30/48 - 03/16/2024

She was one of a house full of ten children who all loved their parents. I never heard her say an unkind word about them or how they were raised. She told stories of the hard-working days, brothers and sisters, a normal Iowa life full of fun cars, pretty ponies, a handsome husband, and a house full of girls. She survived marriage, divorce, three daughters, and the death of her firstborn. She lived her entire life in the same small circle in Iowa, not far from where she was raised. She loved her three granddaughters, one grandson, 4 great-grandsons and son-in-law. The generation of boys was a welcome change from the line of strong women she raised, and she had a love and respect for the men of our family that was beautiful to witness; they made her happy in a way no one man ever could.

She bought and sold too many horses to count and had only one favorite, Clipper. She loved cool cars and long road trips with her best pal, and although they never solved any real-world problems, they never quit trying. She was gifted for her ability to make an old house a home with wallpaper and pretty curtains, and I am confident that was a trait her mother instilled in her. And oh, if her kitchen table could retell the stories shared over all the years, we would all be filled with a gentle reminder that the sweetness of life is in the stories we tell. She built thousands of tires over her career at Firestone and served a million meals to locals and travelers in her many years at restaurants. She was a spicy little lady with fire in her feet, and they all loved her for it.

I remember as a child, she would tell us, "They will always take your money no matter what you're wearing as long as it is clean." In spite of that wisdom, she loved to look great in snappy outfits, complete with cute hats and big sunglasses. Although she was just a little lady, she loved to eat, and today, we celebrate her life with her favorite lunch date - maid rites. Of course, no Pierce family celebration of life would be complete without a wacky cake, just as it should be.

I could tell you all the lovely things about my mother, but please don't forget that she was more than that. She was not always pretty and proper because life is hard, so I will leave you with this: Do as much as necessary and as little as possible because life will have its way with each of us, and you won't want to miss it. Do your best; that will be enough for those you love and those who love you back.

Forgive, but don't forget. Fight hard for what is worthy of your effort, and love in a way that leaves people knowing that you will protect them in your strength and in your weakness; they will know you, too, are only flesh and fragile.

Our lives are made of so much more than what we do; it's our spirit and willingness to try that we leave behind, and Nanny, until her final day, did her best to move forward. She never gave in or gave up, so we, too, will move forward, and a little flame from her spirit will carry us through.

Her fierce feminine fire will continue to burn bright within the souls of her daughters and granddaughters, and we will remember her with hearts full of appreciation for the fight from within she instilled in each of us.

A celebration of life begins with the giver of life, our creator, our designer, and Lord of all the world, which is and is to come. The One who gives us life and breath, and each moment in between, His tender love and generous mercy are freely given to the sinner and the saints, and He is with us in our suffering because He was the sacrifice for us. Jesus came to our broken world to give us a hope that endures, and when the spirit of God that lives within us is ready to go home, we can trust not in our works but in His perfect glory to carry us home if we believe that He came, He died, was buried and rose again.

Jesus is all the good in us, and we praise Him for Nanny's life; we see His works in her life and in her death.

A celebration of life will be 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Community Building (lower level) at the Story County Fairgrounds (90 I Avenue) in Nevada.  Lunch will be served.  Private family burial will be at Restland Cemetery in Baxter.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements.  Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.