William Nelson Pearce Obituary in Ankeny at Memorial Services of Iowa

Obituary For William Nelson Pearce

William Nelson Pearce, 86, of Ankeny, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on May 23, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Visitation will take place from 12:00pm to 1:00pm on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Resurrection Lutheran Church (914 NW Ash Dr, Ankeny, Iowa). A memorial service will follow at the church at 1:00pm.

Bill, or "Nelson" as he was known to many, was born in Perry, Iowa, on May 5, 1940, and was raised by his loving parents, Grace and Stanley Pearce. He grew up in Des Moines, graduated from North High School, and received Bachelors and Masters degrees from Drake University. He spent 25 years with the Polk County Juvenile Court, retiring as Assistant Chief, followed by a second career focused on building loving families through adoption, providing home studies and placements for hundreds of children as the founder of Adoption Associates of Iowa, and providing adoption education, advocacy, and support through the Iowans for Adoption organization. He received a 2026 Governor’s Volunteer Award for outstanding commitment and service. His passion for building families and helping children cannot be understated.

Bill and Karen Pearce were married for over 65 years, and spent their lives as constant and loving companions, raising two children together, and spending as much time as possible with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Bill and Karen loved to travel together, whether camping in an RV or taking a cruise to various corners of the country and of the Earth. Bill was an avid historian, and a voracious reader. He loved language in general, and poetry in particular. Bill and Karen were active members of Berwick Congregational Church in Berwick for over 50 years.

Bill is survived by his wife, Karen; two children, Susan Kirstein (Scott) and Michael Pearce; three grandchildren, Jordan Presnall (Sean), Marcus Kirstein, and Ryan Pearce; three great-grandchildren, Jameson, Jackson, and Charlotte; his sister, Lois Allen; nieces, Dena, Luna, Laura, Olivia, and Miranda; and nephew, John. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grace and Stanley Pearce.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Iowans for Adoption would be greatly appreciated to provide scholarships to help more loving families adopt. To donate, visit their web site at https://www.iowansforadoption.org, or by mail at Iowans for Adoption, C/O: Dr. Diana Lang, P. O. Box #93, Gilbert, IA 50105, in honor of Bill Pearce.

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