Jean Francis (Pierson) Harris (92) passed peacefully into heaven on January 30, 2019. She was born September 18, 1926 in Lincoln, NE to Arthur E. and Jessie M. (Hendricks) Pierson. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1944 and then received her Bachelor Degree in Music and Education in 1948 from the University Of Nebraska School Of Music. She also attended Nebraska Wesleyan for one year. Jean taught music in Sidney Nebraska for one year and moved to Gering in 1951 where she taught vocal music in the school system.

Jean met her future husband, Robert, at a chance meeting at a pie social at their church (someone arranged for him to buy her pie) and the rest is history. They married in 1954 at East Lincoln Christian Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. She continued the tradition of making a pie every Sunday for the 55 years they were married. They raised two children whom they adopted from the Nebraska Children’s Home in Omaha, Nebraska.

Jean was a volunteer in many community activities including Regional West Nebraska Medical Center, Meals on Wheels, and she served for 24 years on the Gering Parks, Cemetery and Tree Board. Jean was also involved in Community Concerts on their board and as President and helped with the American Cancer Society annual crusades as she was a survivor of breast cancer herself.

Jean’s life was dedicated to classical and sacred music. She directed the United Methodist Choir in Gering for 24 years and participated in Wesleyan Circle at her church. She was also a member of Sigma Alpha Iota music sorority. She sang in Valley Voices for over 50 years. One highlight was the time the choral group went to New York and performed at Carnegie Hall in 1990.

Jean will be fondly remembered for her passion of Cornhusker football; even attending the Rose Bowl game as a young girl on January 1st, 1940. Growing up in Lincoln as a child, she saw the bronze Sower sculpture being brought into town to be placed on top of the state capital. She always loved Lincoln, and jokingly called it the “Holy City”, but after 61 years in Gering, this was truly her home. She and her husband, Robert made many happy memories and cherished friends in the beautiful panhandle valley. In 2012, Jean moved back to Lincoln to be near her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and resided there until her death.

Proceeded in death by parents, two sisters, Wilva and Mabel (Pierson) Davis, Brother-in-law, Don Davis and husband, Robert M. Harris. Survived by children, Karl and Judy (Jim Bouc), 6 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and dear niece and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Gering Methodist Church at a later date of Saturday, April 6th at 11 a.m. Memorials may be given in honor of Jean to Horison Hospice in Lincoln, NE and The Nebraska Children’s Home in Omaha, NE. Condolences may be sent to The Family of Jean Harris 6100 Southdale Rd. Lincoln, NE 68516.