Donna Pearson 10/13/2012

Donna Jean (Reed) Pearson died of complications of kidney failure early Saturday, October 13, 2012.  Donna was born in River Falls, WI  to Everal Reed and Eunice (Collamore) and baptized in the River Falls United Methodist Church.  She graduated from River Falls High School (1950) and attended the River Falls Normal School one year.  She married Chuck Pearson on March 14, 1953.  She was a wife and mother, raising her family at the Mann Valley Farm.  Donna was active in her church: Morning Circle, UMW and Faith and Life Group.   She was a 4H leader for the Mann Valley 4H club, and a member of the Extension Homemakers for 50 years.  The River Falls Hospital Auxiliary and “Sewing Club” and Groovy Grammas also benefited from her participation.  Donna worked for the River Falls Housing Authority for 23 years retiring as the Executive Director.  Chuck and Donna moved from the farm to town in 1982.  Together they traveled to Europe, China, Washington D.C., Hawaii, and enjoyed wintering in Florida.  They also enjoyed camping and fishing with family and friends.  One of Donna’s passions was quilting.  She provided a quilt for every child, grandchild and many of the Fall  Church Bazaars.  Donna enjoyed entertaining, sharing cake and coffee in the afternoon with friends.  She hosted foreign students, missionaries, Y camp kids, and visiting music groups.  Donna was always cooking for family, extended family and hired hands. She loved to read, listen to music, watch old movies and attend plays.  Thank You to the many that provided rides for her dialysis and supported the family throughout Donna’s journey.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Chuck, sisters Eileen and Pat.  She is survived by Cathy (Bob) Hamblin, of Hayward, WI; Dan (Terri) Pearson, of River Falls, Randy Pearson of Florida, Cindy Pearson of China, and Gwen (Bryan) Hop of New Richmond, WI;   Grandchildren Donald and Jeff Hamblin, Joel (Anna) Pearson, Kelina (Brett) Toney, Aaron (Heather) Pearson, Katlynn Pearson, Jack, Russell, and Anna Hop.  Also great grandchildren Wesley, Alex and Macie Pearson and Maranatha Toney.  Sisters Ellen Campbell and Julie (Jim) Holmes and many other family and friends.  A Memorial Service was held Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 11 am at the River Falls United Methodist Church.  Memorial visitation was Monday, October 15, 2012 from 4-8 pm at the Bakken-Young Funeral Home in River Falls and on Tuesday from 10-11 am at the church.  Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.  Arrangements were with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services of River Falls.