Kelva Ione Pierce, daughter of Herbert C. & Bertha C. (Brown) Mignery was born July 3, 1917 on the Mignery Ranch in Wheeler County. She was baptized at the Presbyterian Church in Elgin and attended a rural Wheeler County School through 8th grade, graduating from Wheeler County High School with Normal training in 1934.

She taught at rural Wheeler County schools and later attended Wayne State Teachers College. On July 24, 1940, Kelva was united in marriage to Leland D. Pierce at the Mignery Ranch. The couple lived in Norfolk, VA and San Francisco, CA while Leland was in the Navy and moved to Elgin, NE in 1946.

She was a member of the VFW & American Legion Auxiliaries, Women’s Club, Eastern Star, and the Presbyterian Ladies Aid.

Kelva died Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at St. Joseph Care Center in Norfolk, NE.

She is survived by 4 children: Jerene Yoder of Aurora, CO; Lowell D. Pierce of Lakewood, CO; Duane Pierce & wife Donna of Madison, SD; Marcine Pierce of Norfolk, NE; 6 grandchildren: David Yoder & wife Lea; Brett Pierce & wife Stacey; Devin Pierce & wife Jill; Lyle Pierce & wife Victoria; Shawn Pierce & wife Lisa; Karissa Woodard.

Kelva was preceded in death by husband Leland in 1990, parents, 5 siblings; Melvin, Erwin “Pete”, & Wayne Mignery, one infant brother; and Doris Scoville; son-in-law: Marvin Yoder in 2002.

Memorials are suggested to the Elgin Endowment Fund and Wheeler County Endowment Fund.