Bryan Pierce

1941 - 2025

Bryan Pierce

September 20, 1941 - May 31, 2025

PORTAGE – Bryan L. Pierce, age 83, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2025, in Madison, Wisconsin.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, veteran, and innovator, Bryan lived a life marked by dedication to family, service to his country, and a passion for invention and sport.

Born on September 20, 1941, in Guthrie Center, Iowa, Bryan was the son of Ivan and Ruby Pierce. After completing his education, he proudly served in the United States Air Force for four years. His military service took him across the globe to Biloxi, Mississippi; Guam; Japan; Vietnam; and Thailand - experiences that shaped his disciplined work ethic and broadened his perspective on life.

Following his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Bryan began a long and accomplished career as an Electronics Maintainer with the Milwaukee Railroad - later known as the Soo Line Railroad. Over the course of 38 years of dedicated service, he became known for his technical expertise and reliability before retiring in 2002.

Retirement did not slow Bryan down. Instead, it allowed him to pursue a new business venture involving one of his lifelong passions: trap shooting. He founded Pierce Clay Sports Technology, LLC - a business that reflected both his love for the sport and his inventive spirit. Through this venture, he developed various tools used at gun clubs across the country related to voice release systems. His contributions left a lasting impact on the trap shooting community.

Bryan was a lifetime member of several shooting clubs including the Portage Rod & Gun Club in Wisconsin; Otter Creek Sportsman's Club in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Hill Country Shooting Sports in Kerrville, Texas. Whether competing in trap shooting tournaments or tinkering with new ideas in his shop while wearing his signature Tilley Hat, Bryan found joy in perfecting both technique and technology.

Beyond his professional accomplishments and hobbies, Bryan's heart belonged to his family. He married the love of his life, Kathryn (Kathy) A. Pierce, on July 11, 1965. Together they shared six decades of unwavering partnership filled with love and laughter.

He is lovingly remembered by Kathy; their son, Gregory Pierce; daughter, Lisa Pierce; daughter-in-law, Toni Pierce; grandchildren, Jessica Roth (David), Matthew Pierce (Alison), Meghan Hedman (Andrew), and Kayla Skolaski (Taylor); and great-grandchildren, Lincoln and Madison Roth, Nolan and Evelyn Pierce, Makenna, Mason, and Melody Hedman, and Jack Skolaski; and his brothers, Allen (Linda), Jerry (Marguerite), Danny, and Leslie (Nicole).

Bryan's family always came first. He cherished time spent with them - whether gathered around a table and sharing stories or going on family vacations and exploring the country, he delighted in playfully teasing those he loved most. His sharp mind was matched by a warm sense of humor that endeared him to all who knew him. Among those closest to him was Wesley - his little buddy - who held a special place in Bryan's heart.

A man of remarkable intelligence and creativity, Bryan loved inventing useful gadgets in his workshop. His legacy lives on not only through the tools he created but also through the values he instilled: curiosity without limits, loyalty without question, and love without condition.

May Bryan's memory bring comfort to those who knew him and inspiration to all who follow in his footsteps.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home (www.pmmfh.com), 430 West Wisconsin St., Portage, Wisconsin. Inurnment will be private. A visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2025, and then on Friday, June 13, 2025, from 10 a.m. to the time of the service, at the funeral home.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home

430 W. Wisconsin St. 426 E. Washington St.

Portage, Wisconsin 53901 Poynette, Wisconsin 53955

608-742-2126 www.pmmfh.com 608-635-2763