Carol Joanne Choate Pierce, 95, of Waterloo, died Thursday, April 16, 2026, at UnityPoint – Allen Hospital. She was born September 8, 1930, in Afton, daughter of H. F. ‘Forrest’ and Dorothy (Harkins) Choate. She graduated from Waterloo West High School in 1948 and later took various banking courses including National Trust School and received a Trust Administration Degree.

Carol married Charles D. Pierce, Jr. December 31, 1949, he preceded her in death on March 23, 1989. She began working when she was 14 as a cashier selling tickets at two movie theaters in downtown Waterloo. She then worked at Rath Packing, the Social Security Administration and retired from Regions Bank (formerly National Bank of Waterloo) where she worked as a trust officer for 38 years.

She was past President and Vice-President of the Black Hawk County Legal Secretaries Association, and was a member of Women in Banking, Quota Club, and Iowa Square and Round Dancing Association. She was past Secretary, Vice-President, and Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Carol loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren when they visited. She also enjoyed traveling with Charles and square and round dancing. She liked to play canasta and bridge and belonged to several card clubs. She was a member of First United Methodist Church.

Carol is survived by her children: Gayle (Jim) Christianson of Waterloo, Tim (Marlene) Pierce of Collierville, TN, Les Pierce and friend Janet of Jefferson, Kirk Pierce of Waterloo, Scott (Beth) Pierce of Waterloo, and Laurie Pierce of Cedar Falls; her grandchildren: Lisa (Terry Kettman) Thein, Jesse Pierce, Aaron Pierce, Charles (Kaylee) Pierce, Allison Pierce, Heidi Pierce, Angela (Shiloh) Pierce-Jennings, Kirk (Harley) Weidimeyer, Eli Ackles, Kelsey Baxter, Justin (Stacy) Pierce, Jaron (Holly) Pierce, Lindsay Thein, Cody (Heather) Thein, and Tara Thein; step-grandchildren Rachel Newton and Kelsey Dickens; 24 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren; many step-great-grandchildren her sister Judy Seedorff of Waterloo, special niece Connie Kinkade, and many cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Charles, grandsons Christopher Thein and Travis Fulton, granddaughter Autumn Thein, sister Marjorie Kinkade, brothers-in-law Franklin Kinkade and Donald Seedorff, sister-in-law Lucille and her husband Cecil Hemsath, niece Kathleen Hemsath, and son-in-law Charles Thein.