Peter Hadley Pierce

McFarland- Peter Hadley Pierce, 86, died Sunday, June 20, 2010. He was born in Elkhorn, WI, on Jan. 25, 1924 to Henry and Ella Jo (Hadley) Pierce, graduated from Fond du Lac High School, and attended college at UW-Madison, Dartmouth (navy V-12 program), and Oregon State University. He was commissioned an ensign at Columbia University, serving during WWII on the LST 779.  His was the first ship to land on the beach at Iwo Jima and supplied the flag seen in the famous photo of the flag raising. After the war he earned A&E and pilot's licenses. On December 3, 1949 he married Huldah Jean Hyers in San Bernadino, CA.  They moved to Madison in June, 1950, and to McFarland two years later.   He worked for Wisconsin Central Airlines, Wisconsin Power and Light, and in 1986 retired after 31 years with the Research and Machine Development departments at Oscar Mayer. His greatest satisfaction came from helping others. He served as president of the McFarland School Board, McFarland Cemetery Association, and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for 21 years in Green and Dane Counties.  He was named Wisconsin Fraternalist of the Year for his work, through Lutheran Brotherhood, in the relief effort after the Barneveld tornado.  He was active in McFarland Lutheran Church, serving as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and Superintendent, Bethel Series teacher, and church council president.   A loving husband and family man, he took real pleasure in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife; six children--Arthur (Diane), Linda (Jim) Ellestad, Annette (Don) Stott, Huldah (Mark) Ellestad, Philip (Carrie), and David (Leah); 16 grandchildren; and 9 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by Truphosa Mwololo McGuire, Mary DeYoung and Vivien Fryd whom he looked upon as his ""other"" daughters. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard, and sisters-in-law Nelda Pierce and Bea Sebok.   Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at McFarland Lutheran Church.  Lunch, for family and friends, will follow the services.  Friends may greet the family from 9:30 AM until the time of services Saturday.  The family suggests memorials may be made to the McFarland Lutheran Church.  The family wishes to thank Pastor Jerome Pribbenow, Dr. Albert Musa, staff at Oak Park Place, and Peter's hospice team for their kind and loving care. A special thank you to Leonard, Daryl, Homer, Arnie, Frank, Rick and Jack for regularly taking their ministry of music and prayer to Peter.