Ami Pierce

(From Konantz Warden Funeral Home)

Ami (Oyamada) Pierce, 35 of Pittsburg, KS, was born on June 24, 1986 in Sakura, Chiba, Japan to Tadashi and Hitomi (Watanabe) Oyamada. She passed away, following a prolonged battle with cancer, on January 25, 2022 at 12:28 pm. 

She was cared for in the home of her “American family” in Liberal, MO and was surrounded by her husband, parents and “American family.”

Ami loved the United States. As a child, she was one who liked to make her own way in life. She had an adventurous spirit and wanted to be immersed in American culture. She wanted to learn English, which led her to encourage her twin sister to join her as a foreign exchange student to the United States. 

Ami was hosted by Roger Marti & Nancy Jamerson and attended Liberal High School (LHS) from 2004-2005. Ami was instantly welcomed and well-liked by her classmates. She was voted most friendly by her 2005 LHS class. Ami always had kind words and a smile for others. 

Following her year as a foreign exchange student Ami returned to Japan to graduate from Hosei University (an elite private University in Tokyo, Japan). 

Ami returned to the United States after graduation to pursue an education in nursing. She graduated Crowder College, Nevada, MO with an Associates of Science in Nursing. Ami was a Registered Nurse at Freeman Health Systems in Joplin, MO where she worked on the Cardiac Medical Unit (CMU) and Medical/Oncology. 

Ami was married to Danny Pierce on July 5, 2014 in Liberal, MO in a memorable cornfield wedding.

The couple was blessed with a son Benjamin Hajime Pierce on November 16, 2016. Ami is survived by husband Danny Pierce and son Benjamin, 5, of Pittsburg, KS. Her parents Tadashi and Hitomi Oyamada, her older brother Shimpei Oyamada, wife Naomi and son Rippei; twin sister Mai (Oyamada) Kobayashi, husband Katsuya, their children Dan and Tana, all of Tokyo, Japan, brother-in-law, Dwight Pierce, wife Amber and their children Cody, Casey and Marshell and brother-in-law Bobby Pierce, wife Angela, their child, Alexander, sister-in-law Charlene Strong, husband Dustin, mother-in-law and father-in-law Charley and Carol Pierce. She is also survived by her “American family” Roger and Kathy Marti, Nick and Tera Marti and son Remington; Nate and Elizabeth Marti and children Isaac and Mirriam; Austin Marti, Adam and Autumn Reynolds and children Nora, Olive and Tillie; Katie Umphenour and children Mollie and Quentin. 

Ami’s parents said she was a hard person to find fault in, “I can barely remember being angry with her.” She was beautiful and kind to people. Her love was to do things that made others happy. Ami was known for being incredibly skilled at chopping and cooking. She enjoyed being a lavish hostess and planning amazing birthday parties. She loved being fashionable and sharing her fashion with her niece Mollie. 

Ami was a talented pianist and was a joy to listen to. Ami was adventurous and relished the outdoors, hiking, fishing, camping and traveling. She was a go-getter who loved life. Ami had many qualities and a kindness that brought light to the world around her. She had a strong, stubborn spirit who did not rely easily on others. Ami’s brother Shimpei commented, “She was a kind sister who always cared more for others than herself, she always gave smiles and courage to others.” Her sister Mai said, “she was the strongest sister who was always in front of me and could fight through difficulties.” 

Ami was a proud woman who loved others first. Donation's in lieu of flowers can be made to Benjamin's college fund. Checks can be made to Danny Pierce or Roger Marti in care of the funeral home. 

The family will receive visitors on Monday January 31, 2022 from 6 PM to 8 PM and a funeral service will be held Tuesday February 1, 2022 at 11 AM at the Iantha Community Center. (Iantha Methodist Church)