Alice Pierce

Alice Louise Estes Pierce passed away on June 30th, 2019.  Alice was born to Dr. & Mrs. George Downs Estes February 5th, 1926.  In 1949, she earned a B. A., Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.  She was then accepted into the U of M's medical school with only three other women in her class, completing a B.S. in Medical Technology in 1950.  She taught Hematology, Urinalysis, and Clerk's Laboratory (lab courses for medical students).  On December 1, 1950 she married Howard Collins Pierce.

In 1955, Alice and Howard started Pierce-Bac-T Lab and worked together for 15 years at their home-based business.  At the time, it was a radically new idea to make and deliver blood-agar petri dishes to clinics, pick them up, incubate, and then identify the bacterial cultures for the doctors.

Alice and Howard loved the Lake Superior North Shore and retired to Castle Danger, MN in 1971 after renovating and enlarging an original settler's house.

Alice was a Board Member and Secretary/Treasurer of the Save Lake Superior Association for over 30 years.  She also served as secretary/treasurer of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Castle Danger for over 20 years, faithfully preparing the service bulletin each week and volunteering in the quilting group for many years.  Alice was an avid reader and loved the outdoors.

Most of all, Alice will be remembered as a devoted wife and mother, with always a kind word, listening ear, and delicious New Year's Eve feasts for friends and family.

Remember Me

Remember me when flowers bloom

Early in the spring.

Remember me on sunny days

In the fun that summer brings.

Remember me in the fall

As you walk through leaves of gold,

And remember me in the wintertime

In the stories that are told.

But most of all remember each day

Right from the start

I will be forever near

For I live within your heart.

(author unknown)

Alice is survived by her three children, Candice C. Pierce, Hermantown; Peter E. Pierce, Duluth; and Howard E. Pierce, Sunshine Coast, Australia.

Her funeral will be Wednesday, July 3rd, 11:00 AM at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Castle Danger MN, with visitation one hour before.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Castle Danger, MN; U of M Foundation for the Howard Collins Pierce Bio-Medical Library Fund; or the Save Lake Superior Association.