Helen Pearson, 92, of Hallock, Minn., passed away on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, at the Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center in Hallock.
She was born on Feb. 13, 1932, to Herman and Anna (Steien) Hanson of Lancaster, Minn.
After graduating from Lancaster High School in 1950, she went on to attend college in Moorhead, Minn., and Bemidji, Minn., in pursuit of a teaching degree, which she received on July 1, 1955. Following college, she established kindergarten programs in Warren and Thief River Falls, Minn., eventually returning to Lancaster, where she taught elementary school for many years with a focus on second and third grade.
On July 14, 1956, she married Mark Pearson of Hallock and the couple settled in Hallock. Mark and Helen established Pearson Auto Service in Hallock, and Helen continued teaching in Lancaster while also managing the bookwork for the family business. Helen had two children. Kim was born in 1960, and Mark was born in 1969. She paused her teaching career for a few years to raise a family, but eventually, she returned to teaching and continued her education by taking in-person and correspondence courses, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in May of 1983. She loved teaching and continued to do so until she retired in the mid 1990s.
In retirement, she and Mark enjoyed spending winters in Arizona. They spent their time hiking, golfing, ATV riding and spending time with friends. In the summertime, they would spend most weekends at their lake cabin near Baudette, Minn. They also enjoyed taking trips throughout Minnesota and Michigan on their Honda Goldwing motorcycle. Adventure and exploration were always part of their lives.
Helen’s teaching legacy in the community followed her throughout her life. In her golden years, she was often approached by former students who recalled their time together many years prior and were appreciative of her kind, supportive teaching method. She cherished these remembrances and was very fulfilled by this recognition.
Time spent with family and friends was important to Helen, and she always looked forward to a chat over a cup of coffee, attending events in the community or any other social get together.
Family members include: a son, Mark Pearson, of Phoenix, Ariz.; a daughter, Kim (Jeff) Sjostrand, of Alexandria, Minn.; granddaughter, Kristen (Mitchell) Johnson and great-grandson, Myles Frederick Johnson, of New Brighton, Minn.; and granddaughter, Rachel Sjostrand of Colorado Springs, Colo.
She was preceded in death by: her parents, Anna and Herman Hanson; husband, Mark; and sister, Esther (Clif) Mattson.
A funeral service was held on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024 at 11 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church of Hallock. Visitation was held in the church for an hour prior to the service. Interment will be at a later date in Greenwood Cemetery, Hallock.
Austin Funeral Chapel, Hallock, was in charge of the arrangements. www. austinfuneralchapel.com.