Obituary: Jolsey Pierce

Jolsey Pierce

New Rockford, N.D.

Jolsey Marie Pierce, age 34, was born to Corrina Pierce and Darin Laber on March 16, 1990, at the Carrington Hospital in Carrington, N.D. Jolsey was baptized as an infant at the Nazarene Church in New Rockford, N.D. Jolsey's journey on this earth came to an abrupt halt and she died on July 11, 2024, at Sanford Health in Fargo, surrounded by family and friends. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, creativity and profound love for animals and people alike.

Jolsey's visitation was held Tuesday, July 16, 2024 from 5-6 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 6 p.m., all at First Lutheran Church, New Rockford. A funeral service was held on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 10 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, New Rockford. Pastor Shirley Teske officiated the service with special music by Kerstin Allmaras, pianist. Congregational hymns were "In the Garden" and "On Eagle's Wings." Recorded music was "Jealous of the Angels" by Donna Taggart and "Sweet Child of Mine" by Guns N' Roses. Pallbearers were Aaron Koepplin, Haiden Omoth, Matt Ystaas, Reed Ystaas, Malaki Kukowski and Shawn Marsaa. Honorary bearers were all of Jolsey's family and close friends.

Jolsey loved butterflies, but not all winged insects. She was terribly afraid of bees and if you were riding in a car with her as the driver and she spotted a bee in the car, you were destined for one wild ride! Jolsey loved music and she liked it loud. Everything from rock to hip hop ... even her grandparents' "old fogey music." Corrina enjoyed their drives together as they would listen to music and have heart to heart conversations. Jolsey loved cooking and would look up new recipes on her phone and make them. Some of them were delicious and some of them were ... well, bless her heart, she tried. Jolsey loved art and she was a heck of a good artist. She could draw almost anything but animals and cartoon characters seemed to be her strong suit. She started developing this skill at an early age by coloring all over her great-grandma Phil's walls with crayons ... such big visions for such a giant canvas.

She was a child of mischief, once stealing her great-grandpa's riding lawnmower and riding off into the sunset and also taking her grandma and grandpa's new Dodge Daytona for a test drive at the ripe old age of five. Jolsey had a great sense of adventure and a great sense of humor. She loved to laugh and make other people laugh as well. She saw the good in everyone; in her eyes everyone lived on the same side of the tracks. She loved animals, especially her dog Raidon. Like Jolsey, Raidon loves adventure. Jolsey and Raidon loved to go for car rides together (the dog must've liked loud music too). Their relationship was one of trust and love and deciding on what direction their next adventure was going to be in.

Jolsey was more than smart; she was articulate, intuitive and always surprised her mom with her wealth of knowledge. Jolsey was a hard worker and throughout her life, she dabbled at various kinds of jobs, some of those being a CNA, working at a bank and housekeeping, but her favorite job was probably working alongside her very best friend, LaRae Sifuentes at the Loco Ketchup. People looked forward to eating at the Loco when Jolsey was working just to see her bright eyes and stunning smile. Jolsey loved makeup, Marilyn Monroe and all things glamorous. She took pride in looking her best, but she didn't have to work very hard at it because she was gorgeous inside and out.

Jolsey is now reunited with her maternal great-grandparents, Mike and Phil Duchscherer, and Marvin and Marie Pierce; her paternal grandparents, Marvin and Maryann Laber; and numerous aunts and uncles. Her spirit lives on in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

She will be greatly missed by her mom, Corrina; stepdad, Mark Boyer; her father, Darin; grandparents, Jerome and Carol Pierce; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and her loyal pup, Raidon.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home of New Rockford and Carrington, N.D.