John Morgan Pierson

Pierson, John M., born October 1, 1935, in Sioux City, Iowa, died April 21, 2021, at the age of 85 in Plymouth, Minnesota. Preceded in death by parents Lawrence and Gladys Pierson and sisters Judy (Adams) and Joan (Scroggs). Survived by his sweetheart of 73 years—and wife of 63 of those years, Norma; brother Jim (Sherry) of Columbus, OH; sons Chris (Becky) of Plymouth and Peter (Suzanne) of Stilwell, KS; grandchildren Maggie (Anders) Bowman and Christopher. John was also uncle and great uncle to many—by blood and by the kindness, empathy, and genuine compassion in which he led his life. John grew up in Sioux City, Iowa, graduating from Sioux City Central High School—where he stood out in football, basketball, and track—and then the University of Iowa and the University of Iowa Law School. He began his law practice in Sioux City and continued in legal departments with General Mills, Iowa Beef Packers, Graco, Henkel, Space Center/Meritex, and then partnering with son Chris in Pierson & Pierson-Attorneys at Law of Wayzata until his retirement in 2013. John shared and passed on his love for the outdoors, of adventure and exploration, from paddling the Boundary Waters-Quetico, hiking in the Tetons and arctic Alaska, bicycling across Czechoslovakia and Hungary—not to mention much of the trails system in Minnesota, and seasons at a family cabin in northern Minnesota. Longtime patrons of Twin Cities arts, music, theater, and ideas, he actively expanded his awareness and boundaries to the end of his life. John put his values to good work in volunteering with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Science Museum of Minnesota, and Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners and other elementary school reading programs. He and Norma have for many years been active members of Saint Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church of Plymouth. His kindness and heartfelt desire for everyone he touched to feel welcomed, heard, and worthy of the gifts offered in this world, in these lives, has cast ripples in every direction that will be felt and reverberated for years and years to come. Memorial service 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 3, 2021 at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, 17205 County Road 6, Plymouth with visitation one hour prior. If you might be moved to offer gifts honoring John’s life, we encourage you to make donations to The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota (www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/minnesota), the Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org/site/Donation), and by simply offering spontaneous gifts from hope and compassion whenever the opportunities arise.

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