Rita Pierce

Maria “Rita” Pierce, 78, died December 30, 2010 at her home surrounded by her family.

She was born on July 19, 1932 in Topeka, Kansas the daughter of the late Jose Panfillo and Urbana (Marmalejo) Balandran.

Rita was a graduate of Hayden High School and attended Secretarial School.  She was a secretary for the State of Kansas prior to her retirement. 

She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and the State Retirees Club.

Rita loved her church and family, cooking and her Christmas traditions.   She enjoyed visiting with people and spending time with her friends and family.  Rita’s biggest joy was her granddaughters.

She married Ernest Woodard on October 7, 1961 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.  He predeceased her on February 4, 1987.  She was also preceded in death by a daughter Gloria Marie Woodard, her parents, a brother, Jose and two sisters, Delores and Lucita. 

Rita married Richard L. Pierce on March 4, 1995 in Topeka, and he survives.  She is also survived by a daughter Cheryl Burk and husband Chris, granddaughters, Taarna and Jennifer Burk, four grandsons and several great grandchildren; two sisters, Teresa B. Galvan and Carol Hernandez and many nieces and nephews.

Rita will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Monday after 2:00 p.m. where the family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and a Parish Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.  Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.