Rose Marie Pierce, age 57, of Merrill, WI, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2021, at home while under the care of hospice, while surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous 3 1/2-year battle with glioblastoma (brain cancer). Rose was born on August 26, 1964, at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights, IL and was the daughter of the late Walter Kanitz Sr. and Bertha Kanitz. Her mother survives. She had just celebrated her 57th birthday. Rose graduated from Merrill High School with the class of 1983. After high school, she attended NorthcentralTechnical College where she earned an associate degree in Medical Transcription. She worked for Marshfield Clinic and recently The Family Foot and Ankle in Weston doing medical transcription for over 20 years. Rose met Herb Pierce Jr. and exchanged marriage vows on June 8, 1991. They just celebrated 30 years of marriage. Rose liked the outdoors, whether it was planting in her flower gardens, feeding and watching the birds in her back yard, or being at their camper in Pardeeville, WI where she called that her home away from home. She also enjoyed family vacations to South Dakota and Florida, shopping, cooking, and spending time with her two daughters and grandson, Hudson. He was her pride and joy. Rose was an avid sports fan and was always looking forward to cheering on the Green Bay Packers. She will be remembered as a gentle soul and the rock of her family. Rose was a survivor and fought hard. She will be dearly missed.
She is survived by her loving husband, Herb Pierce Jr; two daughters, Rosezanna (Matt) Pierce and Samantha Pierce of Merrill, WI; one grandson, Hudson Schult; mother, Bertha Kanitz, Merrill, WI; two sisters, Julie (Mark) Kroeplin, Wausau, WI, and Lisa (Randy) Kjellstrom, Middleton, WI; and one brother Walter (Missy) Kanitz, Merrill, WI. She was preceded in death by her father, Walter Kanitz Sr., and nephew, Austin Kanitz.
A Celebration of Life for Rose will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at 12 noon at St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ in Merrill. Pastor Mike Southcombe will officiate. Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service, also at the church. Burial of Rose’s cremated remains will immediately follow the service and take place at Snow Hill Cemetery in the town of Scott. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the care team at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and Compassus Hospice Care of Rhinelander. Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.