Joan Pierce

1936 - 2025

Joan Pierce
Born: June 7, 1936 in Chicago, IL
Died: October 28, 2025 in Naperville, IL
Joan Hoffmann Pierce, 89, passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at The Springs at Monarch Landing in Naperville, IL. Joan was born on June 7, 1936 to Edwin and Virginia (Bradley) Hoffmann in Chicago, Illinois.
Joan spent her early years in both Illinois and Wisconsin, attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduating with a degree in English. Joan raised her three children in Arlington Heights, IL while doing some teaching at the local schools and later working for Westinghouse selling home security systems. She frequently received awards for being the top sales person for her company (no surprise there). After relocating to Creston, IL, she worked many years for Rockford Alarm company.
As a child, Joan loved spending time with her family at her uncle's cottage in Ellison Bay, Door County, WI. As an adult, she and her sisters and their late mother, Virginia, built and enjoyed "Gigi's Place" on the same grounds. Many, many good times were had there with family and friends.
A second marriage for Joan and her husband, Lewis Blanford "Blan" Pierce, Jr., almost reached the 47-year anniversary last June; add to that the four years they dated. Blan was the fourth generation of Woodlawn Farms L.B. Pierce and Sons in Creston, IL. Blan continued the Black Angus cattle business at Woodlawn until its dispersal in May of 2005. Joan worked tirelessly alongside Blan taking care of the business of Woodlawn Farms. She was very proud of the legacy of Woodlawn Farms and spent much of her time caring for this very special place. Joan's mother-in-law, Lucy, once said, "If you have an important job that needs to get done, give it to Joan." Joan lived by the motto her father, Ed, taught her, "any job worth doing is a job done well." Her strength was known by all who knew her.
A second breed caught their eye about 18 years ago when they began to acquire Shorthorn cattle from their partner, Steve French's herd in Michigan. It was coming full circle as Blan's great-grandfather had Shorthorns for 10 years before he began a 136 year love of Angus. Joan so enjoyed spending time with her partner,s and she had quite a knack for coming up with great names for a new bull calf.
She proudly served on the board of the Woodlawn Cemetery and volunteered for many years at the Creston Library.
Joan loved all animals, and had an affection for golden retrievers. She and Blan raised purebred golden retrievers for many years, raising hundreds of puppies that would go to happy families across the state lines. She loved horses, and had many at the farm over the years, enjoying a ride with Blan out in the pastures of Woodlawn.
The bird feeders were always full at Joan's house, the corn was out for the squirrels, and the wild animals could find shelter or food around the property. Joan generously donated to many local animal shelters and rescues.
Joan was the proud mother to Tim (Suzi) Pleune of Batavia, IL, Beth (Jeff) Martin of Bonita Springs, FL and Laura (Mike Loptien) Sykes of Sycamore, IL; grandmother to Jamie Pleune, Alyssa (Zach) Clark, Andy (Julie) Martin, Joe (Sarinna) Martin, Samantha (Marcus Bobo) Sykes and Jarrett Sykes; great granddaughter, Delilah Martin, great grandson, Ellis Martin; and great granddaughter Penelope Martin. She was also the proud stepmother to Carl (Kris) Pierce of Reedsburg, WI and Jake (Edie) Pierce of Byron, IL; grandmother to Carl's daughter, Carly (Nate) Vogeler and great grandmother to Henry, Theo and Ben Vogeler and grandfather to Jake and Edie's son, Wyatt. Sister to Gail McCallum-Prine and Lyn Hale and aunt/great aunt to many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Edwin and Virginia Hoffmann, Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Blan.
The family would like to thank Northwestern Medicine and the Springs at Monarch Landing for their exceptional care and support.
We love you, Mom. We will hold you in our hearts forever.
There will be a private family memorial graveside service at Woodlawn Cemetery, Creston, IL. Memorials may be made in Joan's memory to the American Angus Foundation for the Woodlawn Farms Scholarship Endowment Fund. Cremation care has been provided by the Unger-Horner Funeral Home of Rochelle. Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.