BVU Remembers the Support of Three
Virginia Pierce, Jim Bisenius, and Steve Herron passed away in January. Buena Vista University is grateful for their countless contributions and support.
Jim Bisenius
Jim Bisenius '71 passed away on January 21 at the age of 69.
Jim was born and raised in Emmetsurg. He attended Buena Vista College and graduated in 1971. He met his wife, Jane, at Buena Vista and they were married later that year. After graduating, Jim moved to Schaller to teach and coach. Even after he stopped teaching, he believed strongly in education and tutored and mentored kids of all ages.
Jim was a lifelong Buena Vista Beaver supporter and attended every home football game for 50 years. He loved attending his kids’ school events and watching his son, nephews and neighbor play football at BVU. The years his son, Adam Bisenius '99, spent coaching at BVU were very special to him.
Steve Herron
Steve Herron passed away on January 27 at the age of 75.
Steve worked at the Storm Lake Register and Pilot-Tribune for more than 20 years. In 1987 he joined Siefer Consultants in Storm Lake, a banking newsletter and consulting company, where he worked as writer and managing editor for 13 years.
In 2001 Steve started working at Buena Vista University in writing and marketing positions, writing speeches, press releases, and articles for University publications. His outstanding level of support and high standards were instrumental in aiding BVU's fundraising, enrollment and marketing efforts. He retired in 2013. Steve's wife, LaVonda, was also a fixture on campus, holding supervisory positions in the service department and mail room for decades.
Virginia Pierce
Virginia Pierce '41 passed away on January 29, 2019 at the age of 96.
Virgina was born on her parents’ farm near Rembrandt. She attended Buena Vista College and graduated in 1941 with a teaching certificate. She was an elementary school teacher for several years in Ruthven and Marathon.
She was an active alumnus of Buena Vista University. Her activities included serving on the BVU Alumni Board for three years and, along with her husband, Keith '42, as a BVU Order of the Arch co-chair in 2004. She and Keith were honored to receive the Henry Olson Distinguished Service Award from BVU in 2005.
The family asks that memorials be given to the Keith & Virginia Pierce Music Endowment Fund at Buena Vista University.