Dorothy Mae (Dotti) Pierce

The only daughter and youngest child of German immigrant parents, Emil and Emily Koroch, Dotti was born in Sodus, Michigan on August 19, 1927. She spent her earliest days growing up on the family fruit farm outside of Benton Harbor, Michigan, where she learned to appreciate the value of an honest wage for a hard day's work.

Following graduation from Benton Harbor High School, Dotti briefly attended Anderson College (Anderson, Indiana) where she met and married her future husband, Nelson Pierce of Independence, Missouri. They were married for 25 years.

Over the years, she was employed for the U.S. Forest Service and as a church secretary. Prior to her retirement in 1997, she served as the receptionist for Bible Study Fellowship (San Antonio), for 20 years, having relocated from its original headquarters in Oakland, California.

Dotti had many hobbies and interests. She was an avid reader of books (especially the Bible), and enjoyed working puzzles. A skilled seamstress, and a gifted pianist, she also enjoyed cooking and baking. And, if you had ever tasted her apple pie, you knew you had simply tasted the best. She loved to start her day with a (hot) cup of coffee and she loved her San Antonio Spurs.

Those who knew Dotti well loved her deeply, as she was a kind, gracious, and compassionate person to all she met. A devoted Christian, her faith was the cornerstone of her life. She was a member of Community Bible Church for many years where she joyfully served as a Sunday morning greeter.

Dotti was extremely proud of her heritage, having being raised and nurtured on the family farm just outside of Benton Harbor. It was a place that never left her and where she loved to return over the years. As a tribute to her roots, she instilled the importance of labor in her children, by having them work on the fruit farms in Oregon each summer in their youth.

Although she wasn't fond of traveling, she loved to visit her family in Michigan and her children and grandchildren scattered around the country. She did not miss one grandchild's high school graduation.

She is preceded in death by her brothers Don (Des Moines, Iowa), Ken and Melvin (Jake) Koroch and her parents, all of Benton Harbor. Survivors include daughter, Denise Davis of San Antonio; son, Douglas Pierce and wife, Kathy Schmitz, of Colgate, Wisconsin; and daughter, Deborah Werner and husband, David, of Portland, Oregon. She was an amazing grandmother, whose grandchildren meant the world to her, as she did to them. They are Joseph Werner, Jona Davis Blackwell, Lindsey Pierce, Christopher Werner, Sara Pierce, Matthew Werner and Matthew Pierce; her four great grandchildren, Landen and Rylee Werner; and Alex and Aria Werner, as well as many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express its gratitude to Drs. Gordon Hill and Mark Nelson who provided caring physician services to Dotti for 30 years and Dr. Robert Schnitzler for over 20 years. Also, good friends Bill and Esther Fuller and Virginia Wilson who were a wonderful source of inspiration and loving support.

Dotti will be interred at Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Harbor, Michigan following a graveside service. A memorial service is also being planned at Brookdale Senior Living Alamo Heights.