Jacqueline 'Jackie' Lea Pierce, 87

Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and companion, Jacqueline “Jackie” Lea Pierce, 87, of Pinehurst, Idaho, passed away April 6, 2016, at Shoshone Medical Center in Kellogg, Idaho. She was born April 4, 1929, in Longview, Wash. Jackie was the daughter of Russell G. and Genevieve (Sellers) Johnson.

Jackie moved to the Silver Valley as a young child. She attended and graduated from Kellogg High School in 1947. Jackie first worked at the Kellogg Maytag store to earn money so that she may attend North Idaho College to study business, which she indeed did.

Jackie first married Roy Burkhart and together they were blessed with three children; they later divorced. Then in June 1975, Jackie married Gene Pierce in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Gene passed away in January 2004.

Jackie also worked at Weber Bank in Kellogg for 11 years. Then in 1959, she began working at the Bunker Hill Mining Company in various capacities. She served as an employee benefits coordinator and as the Zinc Plant paymaster. Jackie retired in 1981.

She was a member of St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Kellogg, where she helped with funeral family meals, cleaning or wherever she could be of help to her church; she was also a member of the Pinehurst Golf Club, a member of the Kellogg Elks, a member of local bowling leagues and a member of Silver Valley Fitness.

Jackie loved and enjoyed her family, golfing (Gene was also an avid golfer, so Jackie and Gene purchased a home located on the golf course, where she resided until she passed). She also enjoyed riding her bike, walking and being in the great outdoors. Jackie was loved by many and will be dearly missed.

Jackie is survived by her three beloved children, Pamela (Gordon) Elliott of Snohomish, Wash., Craig (Connie) Burkhart of Hayden, Idaho, and Lori (Don) Kemper of Lacrosse, Wash.; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and her friend and companion of many years, Paul Lynch of Pinehurst, Idaho. Jackie was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Howard Johnson and one grandson, Jason Kemper.

A memorial Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2016, at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Kellogg, with Father Jerome Montez serving as celebrant. A luncheon and a gathering of family and friends will be held at the Church Fellowship Hall following services; everyone is welcome.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to Shoshone Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 884, Kellogg, ID 83837 or to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835.

One may sign Jackie’s online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.

Shoshone Funeral Services and Crematory, Kellogg, is entrusted with arrangements.