La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

Zerma Louise Pierson was born April 15, 1928 in Fayette County, Kentucky to Mark Mynear and Ella Mae Ivy (Mynear). She passed away on April 16, 2018 at Skagit Valley Hospital.

Zerma had a busy childhood, helping care for six other siblings and other extended family members.

She met Chester (Chet) R. Pierson in 1944 while he was in the US Army stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

They married on October 2, 1944 in Ohio.

Their first son, Chester Andrew joined them six months before they moved back to Chet’s hometown of La Conner, Washington in early 1946.

After discharge from the Army, Chet began working for La Conner Motor Company, which he later purchased in partnership with his nephew, Keith Johnston, becoming Chevron Sales and Service.

Zerma settled in to raising Chester and they soon welcomed their second son, Gary Lee.

Chet and Zerma built their home on Centre Street and resided there until just a few years ago.

Zerma was the ultimate hostess and took pride in her home, yard and garden. She spent summers working for local farmers as a berry boss or driving pea trucks. Zerma loved to be fashionable. Everything always coordinated including her shoes and purses. Even a trip to the dentist was a reason to ‘dress to impress’, which she continued until her last days.

She was a member of the Skagit Valley Hospital Guild, Women of the Moose Lodge and Skagit Widowers.

Zerma was a member of the La Conner United Methodist Church for over seventy years and served the congregation by playing the organ every Sunday for over forty years.

After Chet’s retirement, they both volunteered at the Mount Vernon Senior Center.

She loved her grandchildren, taking great pride in their accomplishments and sharing special times with her three granddaughters.

The girls won’t forget potato chip cookies and maple bars after church on Sundays, girls’ day out for lunch and Grandma being at High School events.

She was her grandson’s biggest fan and many will remember her all bundled up wearing a baseball cap supporting his team, she would always exclaim “Oh goodie!” when he or a teammate made a play.

She also loved to cheer for the Seattle Mariners and Seahawks.

Zerma was preceded in death by her husband, Chet in 1998 after 54 years of marriage; her parents; her brothers, Bill, Earl, Mark and Johnny; her sisters, Evelyn and Janell and by dear friend, Ken Miller.

She is survived by her sons, Chester (Linda) Pierson, Gary (Patti) Pierson, all of Burlington; her grandchildren, Tristan (Greg) Diehl of Las Vegas, NV; Katie (Jered) Lerum of Gig Harbor, WA; Megan Foley of Las Vegas, NV and Chris (Melyssa) Pierson of Elma, WA. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Gage and Bo Diehl, Kellen Foley, Ethan and Ellie Lerum and Raegan Pierson.

The family would like to thank the staff and residents of the La Conner Retirement Inn for their care and friendship over the past two years. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 28th at 3:00PM at the La Conner United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to La Conner United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 43, La Conner, WA 98257 or the La Conner Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 581, La Conner, WA 98257. You may offer Zerma’s family condolences and share memories online at http://www.kernfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home of Mount Vernon.