Curtis Harry Pierce was born on January 20, 1922 in Barnesville, Minnesota, the son of Harry and Ethel Mae (Arms) Pierce. He was baptized on March 11, 1923 in Barnesville, MN. His family moved to Crookston, MN when he was in the third grade where he attended Carmen School and graduated from Central High School. Curtis enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps from October 6, 1942 to January 6, 1946. He served his country in New Guinea and the Philippines during World War II. After discharge, he attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. During this time, Curtis met Alice Lorraine Reitmeier and they were united in marriage on April 27, 1950 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Crookston. Curtis graduated with a B.A. in Education in 1951, and he and Alice moved to Eyota, MN for his first teaching job in music and band. After 1 year, they moved to the Clinton, MN area where he taught 2 days each at the Clinton and Marietta Schools and also sold instruments at a music store in Montevideo. In 1952, he taught full time in Clinton until the fall of 1968 when the family moved to Benson, MN where he was the Jr. High Director until retirement.

Together, Curtis and Alice were able to share in over 64 years of marriage and were blessed with three daughters, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Curtis was a member of Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church, the Benson Education Association, American Legion Post #258, and was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed golfing, flying, fishing, spending time at the cabin, mechanic work, woodworking, crossword puzzles, discussing politics, and spending time with his family.

Curtis was called from this life on Tuesday, January 24, 2017, attaining the age of 95 years and 4 days.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice in October of 2014; parents, Harry and Ethel; sister, Evelyn (Lloyd) Johnson; brothers, Keith (Marge) Pierce and Floyd (Fern) Pierce; a niece, Lynn Pierce Stenlund. Blessed be his memory.