Louise E. Piper

Louise E. Piper, 86, of Garner, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children and loved ones, on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, September 13, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner with Rev. Scott Kozisek officiating. Burial will follow the luncheon at St. Olaf Cemetery in Bode, Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Friday, September 12th, at Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. 4th St., Garner and will resume one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Blue Ribbon Foundation at the Iowa State Fair or to the donor's charity of choice.

Louise Elizabeth Piper was born at Fort Dodge on March 18, 1939, to Alice (Kinseth) and John Robert (Bob) Stamper. She was their only child and grew up on the farm in Humboldt County. Louise was baptized at Saint Olaf Lutheran Church in Bode, Iowa, in May 1939. Her mother took her faithfully to Sunday school, vacation Bible school, and at the age of 14, Louise was confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Gilmore City, Iowa. She cherished her love of God and family. Louise wanted it written here to say she learned from her parents that when something is wrong, always start with yourself. Louise has no siblings but credits her parents for raising her with a good work ethic. Each morning, her mother would ask her if she wanted to work outside with her father or in the kitchen with her mother. She did both. Louise attended Gilmore City public schools for ten years and then went to Humboldt public school during her last two years of high school, graduating from Humboldt High School in 1956. Louise developed an early love of doing things in the kitchen with her mother and became a wonderful cook, baker, and food preservationist. In September of 1956, she entered Iowa Methodist Hospital School of Nursing. She graduated from there in September of 1959. In November of 1959 she married Johnnie Kelley. They lived for three and a half months in Colorado Springs stationed at Fort Carson, while he was in the US Army reserves. Louise worked at Penrose Hospital in the surgical unit, and they later moved to Pocahontas County, where they lived on a farm. The couple later divorced. In the 70’s she helped teach kids at church on Wednesday’s program called weekday school. She made wonderful lasting impressions on many fine young people. In the summer of 1979, she met the love of her life, Bruce C. Piper of Ida Grove Iowa, at the Cobblestone Ballroom in Storm Lake, Iowa. They were married on July 10th, 1981. If she was cooking up a storm in the kitchen, he was right beside her battling a tsunami of water with a tea towel slung over his shoulder. They spent many Loving years together! Continuing to work as an RN, she went back to school in 1982 and obtained her bachelor's degree in nursing 4 years later in 1986. Cum laude! After working in long-term care nursing for many years, she became employed at Buena Vista County Hospital in 1987 and continued to work there for 17 years until her retirement on January 1st, 2004. Louise moved to Garner in September of 2004. Bruce died on November 13, 2004. Louise is an active member of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Garner. She was also a proud member of The Sons of Norway. Gladly adopting Garner, Iowa as her home Louise began entering the open class food department at Clay County Fair in Spencer in 1982 and the Iowa State Fair in 1984. She earned thousands of ribbons over the years, including multiple “best overall” awards and sweepstakes. Her favorite divisions included yeast breads, pies, jams and jellies. In fact, in 1999, Martha Stewart herself visited the Iowa State Fair specifically to interview Louise and deemed her “The Pie Lady.” Yet, it's not her awards that made Louise legendary; it was her heart for the community of competitors and the amazing foods they all brought to the table. Louise continued to compete through the 2024 fair. Louise loved to travel, host holidays, collect pretty dishes, would drive over half an hour to see Christmas lights, and somehow turned everyone she met into family. She will be remembered as the glue of her own family, overflowing with love and treats for everyone, the keeper of a jar of 160-year-old sourdough starter, The Pie Lady, Grandma, Mom and Louise.

Louise is survived by her three children, Shawn Kelley (Missy Stockdale) of Gilmore City, IA, Alison Moon of Richland IA (Eric Hill ) of Cylinder IA, and E.J. Kelley (Maggie Larsen) of Clark, WY; eight grandchildren, Amanda Kelley, Elizabeth (Gurjap) Singh, Aaron (Hannah) Hill, Isaac (Stephanie) Hill, Caleb Hill (fiancée, Alyssa), Matthew Hill, Scott Kelley and Jessica (Adrianne) Steele; step-grandson, Herb (Lori) Moon; great-grandchildren, Calvin, Audrey, Jenna, Ericson, Ellie Mae, Samuel, Arja, Aria, Ava, Addie and Graysen; and her daughter in heart, April Kelley.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Johnnie and Bruce; son-in-law, Bill Moon; an infant granddaughter, Kristin Ashley Kelley; friend, Wayne Rasmus; and beloved friend, Jim Gatchel.