Iola Mae Pearson

Iola Pearson, age 89, passed away March 1, 2022, in Appleton Area Health, Hospital.  Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Kviteseid Lutheran Church in Milan.  Visitation will continue from 10-11 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m., Friday, March 11, 2022, at the church.  Pastor Kristine Isder will officiate.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Iola Mae Pearson was born on May 8, 1932, the daughter of Oscar and Margaret (Erickson) Running in Chippewa County, Minnesota.  She was baptized and confirmed at Kviteseid Lutheran Church in Milan.  Iola attended country school through grade five and then attended school in Milan where she graduated, Class of 1950.  She worked at a bank in Montevideo, Minnesota until she married Arden Pearson of Clarkfield, Minnesota, on April 17, 1952.  This union was blessed with two sons and over 69 years of marriage.  The couple farmed at different locations until moving to Kandiyohi in 1970.  In 1988 they moved to Rush Lake, Minnesota near Perham and in 2004 they moved to Milan.

Iola worked as a bookkeeper at Svea Creamery, the Willmar Nursing Home, and for Willmar Poultry Co. She also worked as a dishwasher for Perham School.  Iola taught Sunday School for many years and enjoyed attending circle meetings and Bible Studies. She liked to read, hand work, sew, puzzles, play cards, and work outside. Iola was called from this life on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at the Appleton Area Health Services-Hospital. She attained the age of 89 years, 9 months, and 24 days.

Iola is survived by her sons: Doug of Champlin and Dean (Barb) of Ottertail; five granddaughters: Mary Pearson, Angelina (Riley) Christensen, Betsy (Andrew) Jackson, Julia Pearson, and Molly Pearson; 4 great-grandchildren: William, Clara, and Stella Christensen and Mary Jo Jackson; brother-in-law, Merle Pearson of Clarkfield; sisters-in-law: Joyce (Lewellyn) Vold of Hazel Run and Delores Running of Appleton.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arden Pearson in 2013; her parents, Oscar and Margaret Running; sisters, Ruby (Melvin) Sundahl and Alva (Cleo) Clauson; and brothers Orvil (Judy) Running and Milton Running.  Blessed be the memory of Iola Mae Pearson.