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Louise Viola Pearson

1924 - 2008

Louise V. Pearson, 83, formerly of Klemme, died February 10, 2008 at Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt. Services were held February 14 at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme with Rev. Donna Buckman officiating. Burial was in Ell Township Cemetery.

Louise Viola, the daughter of Lubbe and Gretchen Albers, was born March 27, 1924 on a farm outside of Klemme, about two miles from where her future husband grew up. She was one of six children growing up during the Depression. Louise's father died in 1926, and the family moved to a smaller parcel of land that Lubbe's father had owned. Louise's mother died in 1936, and siblings Jennie and Jo raised the family.

Louise began her education at the age of four in a one room country school. When she graduated from the 8th grade, Jennie and Jo decided Louise would go to high school, something her siblings never had the opportunity to do. Louise graduated from Klemme High School in 1941. Following high school she worked for a year in Klemme and then enrolled in business school at Omaha. She graduated and became a civilian bookkeeper for the Air Force with assignments in Omaha, Topeka and Oklahoma City.

She returned to Klemme in July 1946 to keep house for her two brothers after declining an assignment to go to Hawaii. She then met Melvin, and they were married in September 1947 at Winona. They farmed with his parents, and later farmed on their own. In addition to assisting her husband, Louise was a homemaker and mother for their three children.

She was an active member of Immanuel Reformed in Klemme where she was involved in the Women's Fellowship, held a variety of offices, and served at various functions and funerals. She was a member of the Farm Bureau and helped with the American Cancer Society. Louise enjoyed being involved with the senior citizens and 500 card clubs. She loved sewing, reading and gardening, raising a wide variety of flowers. Louise and Melvin took a trip to Venezuela during the 1970's to visit daughter Rosalyn in the Peace Corps. Winters they traveled to Arkansas to spend several weeks until spring. They farmed until Melvin's health declined, and in 1984 they sold the farm and moved into Klemme. Melvin died in July 1985. Then Louise's main focus became her grandchildren, children, church and community groups. She looked forward to visits with her sister Johanna and traveling to visit her children and grandchildren. Her journeys included California, Puerto Rico, Connecticut, Nevada, Mexico and the Apostle Islands. Her health began to decline in 2000. Louise had resided at the Westview Care Center in Britt for the last several years.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; sisters Jennie and Marie; and brothers John and Harold.

Survivors include children VaLinda (Karl DeWahl) of St. Paul, Rosalyn (Jim) de la Cruz of Las Vegas and Kent Pearson of Rockwell; grandchildren Kathleen and Aaron DeWahl and James de la Cruz; a sister Johanna Foss of Belmond; brother-in-law Carl (Delores) Pearson of Klemme; and sister-in-law Jean Pearson of Klemme.

source: Belmond Independent, 19 Feb 2008

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