Beth Pearson

BETH V. PEARSON
August 8, 1916 • August 21, 2018
Beth Viola (Pederson) Pearson, 102, of Alexandria, Minnesota (formerly of Benson) died Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at Grand Arbor under Hospice care. Visitation was Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018 from 10-11 a.m., followed by the Celebration of Life at 11 a.m., at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson.   Interment was in the Our Redeemer’s Church cemetery.  
Beth Viola (Pederson) Pearson was born August 8, 1916, in Benson, Minnesota, to Leonard and Ella (Boyd) Pederson. She was baptized September 3, 1916 by her uncle, Rev. Christopher Pederson, and confirmed March 29, 1931, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Benson.
She attended Benson Public Schools and graduated from Benson High School in 1934. In 1936, she became Secretary for the Benson Superintendent of Schools, Walter K. De La Hunt.
Beth was married to Albert L. (Bud) Pearson, April 5, 1942, at the Wee Kirk O’ The Heather in Glendale, California. They lived in San Diego, California, where they were both employed by Consolidated Aircraft. They moved back to Benson prior to Bud’s induction into the Army Air Force in January 1943. Throughout the war, they were transferred to numerous locations prior to Bud’s honorable discharge in 1945. They made their permanent home in Benson, focusing on raising a family of four children and being part of the wonderful Benson community. As the children aged and time allowed, Beth was employed as a parish secretary at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church. She was a life-long member of the church and participated in a number of church organizations. She also convinced her Swedish husband to join the Sons of Norway.
Beth was a gentle soul. She loved birds and flowers and being outside. She delighted in all things chocolate. She was curious about the world around her and interested in the lives of others, especially her friends and extended family. She enjoyed people and kept them close with her frequent cards and letters and never missed sending detailed thank you notes. Having an eye for photography, Beth captured the joys and whimsy of childhood. She was known for her delicious fattigman and her cookie jar was always filled with Oreos for the grandchildren. Spending time with her family and listening to her grown children rehash their childhoods brought her joy, and she often remarked, “I never knew you did that!”.  She let her children be children when they were young and continued to let them be children when they were grown. Always game for anything, she was often referred to as our “energizer bunny” even in her later years. Beth had a wonderful sense of humor; everyone who knew her loved her giggle.  She was gracious and kind, caring and selfless. She made the world a better place without even knowing it.
Beth died peacefully just as she lived,  August 21, 2018, at Grand Arbor, Alexandria, under Hospice care. She proudly attained the age of 102 years and 13 days.  Beth is spending eternity in heaven with God and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Beth is survived by children: Mary Beth (Jerome) Stay, Leon (Diane Hughes) Pearson, Lawrence (Pamela Hudson) Pearson and Carolyn (Jake) Robinson; grandchildren: Nicholas Pearson, Jill Pearson, Christian Stay, Christopher Pearson, Michael Stay, Jeffrey Pearson and Anthony Hines; and great-grandchildren: Jacob, Julianna and Jeremiah Stay; Benjamin and Ella Stay; Emilia and Olivia Pearson; and Connor and Cayden Pearson.  
Beth was preceded in death by parents Leonard and Ella Pederson, husband Albert Pearson, grandson Mark Stay, brother James Pederson and sister Mildred Kiehne.
Memorials preferred to Knute Nelson Foundation in Alexandria or to Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church.
Please sign the guest book at www.zniewskifuneralhome.com