Kristine Ross "Kris" Pierson, age 59, of Washington, Iowa, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at the Washington County Hospital.

Mass of the Resurrection will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2018, at St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Bernie Weir officiating. Calling hours will begin 4:00 p.m. Friday, January 26th at St. James Catholic Church where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. A general memorial has been established. Condolences may be sent through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Kris was born May 28, 1958, in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of Robert and Kathryn (Hotle) Ross. She attended school in Washington and graduated from Washington High School in 1976. Kris was united in marriage to Rich Pierson on October 9, 1981, at St. James Catholic Church in Washington.

Kris worked in the Washington Community School District for 14 years as a para educator at the Washington High School. She also provided child care in her home for many years. Kris was a member of St. James Catholic Church and had previously served on the Board at the Washington Community Theater. She spent her life serving others. A consummate community and school volunteer, advocate for autism, and mentor for troubled youth, she saw promise where others saw failure. Kris cherished her time with family and friends. Kris's life will live on every time some on loves another as she did to so many.

She is survived by her husband, Rich Pierson of Washington, Iowa; son, Michael Pierson and his wife Danielle of Fairfax, Virginia; son, Brett Pierson of Washington, Iowa; son, Brian Pierson of North Liberty, Iowa; daughter, Maggie Pierson of North Liberty, Iowa; two grandchildren, Eleanor and Theodore of Fairfax, Virginia; parents, Bob and Kate Ross of Washington, Iowa; and one brother, Bill Ross and his wife Nora of Redmond, Oregon.

Kris was preceded in death by one brother, Tony Ross.