George "Butch" Robert Pierson

May 1, 1940 - November 15, 2014

George “Butch” Robert Pierson, 74, of Mason City, IA died on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at Clarke County Hospital in Osceola, IA. Online condolences may be left at www.fullertonfh.com. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at First United Methodist Church, 119 S Georgia Ave., Mason City. Pastor Sean McRoberts will be officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 2nd St SE, Mason City. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the family and then they will be donated to the Humane Society of North Iowa and The Raptor Resource Project (Decorah Eagles). George was born on May 1, 1940 in Mason City to George Warren Pierson and Irene Helene (Roggeman) Pierson. He attended Mason City High School where he met the love of his life, Betty Kasik. George graduated in 1958. In 1959 he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Betty, at the First United Methodist Church. To this union four children were born. George cherished family gatherings with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-granddaughters. He enjoyed time spent with his family and friends on vacations in Northern Minnesota and Ear Falls, Ontario on Lake Lac Seul. George spent 32 years of his life working as a Fire Fighter for the city of Mason City until retirement as Fire Captain in 1995. He also co-owned and operated P&R Trash Service in which he served numerous customers in the North Iowa Area. After retirement George and his wife bought the Kozy Korner in Mason City, which they still own and is family operated. He cherished all of his fellow fire fighters, customers of the Kozy Korner, and his many, many friends. George was a very generous and giving person and never hesitated to help a friend in need. George will be greatly missed by all of those who loved and knew him. When George wasn’t working, his free time consisted of his love of the outdoors and nature. His passions included hunting, fishing, golfing, the Minnesota Vikings, the Iowa Hawkeyes, and NASCAR. He loved his hunting dogs; especially his late dog Tucker and his current companion and “buddy” Kozy. Most recently he enjoyed spending time online chatting about the Decorah Eagles. George was a member of the Moose Lodge, Eight for Tuesday, Lunker Club, National Rifle Association, Iowa Association of Professional Fire Fighters, and First United Methodist Church. Those left to cherish his memory include his loving and devoted wife of 55 years, Betty; children, Scott Pierson, Traci (Mike) Rohrer, Sarah (Steven Sberal) Runge, and Leslie Pierson; grandchildren, Ben (fiancée Molly Brink) Pierson, Alex Pierson, Breanna (Jeremy) Johnson, Rachel Sberal, Jeri Sberal, Alicia (Andrew Keller) Runge, Kayla Runge, Stephanie Runge, and Dalton Pierson; great-granddaughters, Hallee Johnson and Chandler Rose Runge-Keller, one great-granddaughter on the way, step-granddaughters, Sara and Erin Rohrer; sisters, Dolly Ballard and Sandy (Roger) Powell; brother, Larry (Barb) Pierson; very special friends Mel and Carol Peterson; several nieces and nephews; and numerous other friends including patrons of the Kozy Korner and local fire fighters. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Irene Pierson; parents-in-laws, Joe and Helen Kasik; and sister-in-law, Shirley Watts. Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 2nd St SE, Mason City, IA 50401, 641-423-8676 www.Fullertonfh.com