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Pere Edward Pearsonof Philip, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, April 5, 2000
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Pere Edward Pearson was born October 8, 1916, in the Elbon community, the son of Axel and Lenna (Miles) Pearson.
He grew up on a ranch 20 miles northwest of Philip. During the 1930s he helped his family by breaking horses for neighbors and working for the WPA, building dams with teams of horses. He helped build several dams in this area.
Pere bought his own farm-ranch next to his dad's in 1942, since the Army said he was ineligible to serve. Three months later they upgraded his classification and called him to serve.
He spent two and one-half years in the Army, spending time in Germany, Italy, and Africa during World War II. He wanted to be a cook, but the Army had him driving a truck, hauling supplies up on the front lines. After his discharge in 1945, he returned to his ranch 18 miles northwest of Philip.
Pere met and later married Martha Doffee on May 4, 1945. Together they raised their family and ranched until retiring in February of 1989. After retiring and moving into Philip, they managed the Philip Laundromat for five years before buying it in 1994. They owned it until the time of his death.
Pere was a member of Wheeler-Brooks American Legion Post #173 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3069 for over 50 years. He spent over 750 hours and drove over 20,000 miles as a DAV volunteer, helping fellow veterans get to the Ft. Meade Hospital and clinic. He was the last charter member still active in the Philip Lions Club, serving for 37 years, and was known as the "lighbulb salesman" in this area.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Martha Pearson, of Philip; three sons and their wives, Philip P. and Cheryl Pearson, Alvin E. and Ruby Pearson, and Lester D. and Joann Pearson, all of Philip; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers, Francis Pearson of Boise, Idaho, and Jimmy Pearson of Spearfish; three sisters, Selma Darmer of Mediapolis, Iowa, Florence Glassgow of Wall, and Rita Magnuson of Rapid City; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Palmer Pearson; and a half-brother, Roy Miles.
A memorial has been established.
Services
Saturday, April 8, 2000
10:00 a.m.
United Church
Philip, South Dakota
Officiating
Pastor Don Lagge
Music
Pat Krogan - Pianist
Vernon Burns - Vocalist
Active Pallbearers
Jeremiah Pearson - Per Pearson - Leroy Pearson
Brian Pearson - Lance Pearson - Jason Schofield
Greg Ferguson - Darren Schroeder
Honorary Pallbearers
All relatives and friends in attendance
Interment with Military Honors
by the Wheeler-Brooks American Legion Post #173
and V.F.W. Post #3069
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota
Services
Saturday, Apil 8, 2000
10:00 a.m.
United Church in Philip