Pearl Anderson

Pearl Anderson, 99 year old resident of Onamia, MN passed away on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Onamia, MN with Pastor Joe Boeringa officiating. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to service at Bethany Lutheran Church in Onamia. Interment will be in Foster Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel of Onamia. Pearl M. Schweigert Anderson was born on August 17, 1916 to William and Elda Schweigert, in her parents’ home on a farm just south of Fulda, MN. She was baptized on September 17, 1916. Her father died from Spanish influenza when she was 3 years old, just one day before her brother Bill was born. Her mother sold the farm and moved to Eden Valley, MN to live with her mother’s aunt. In 1922, her mother married Louis Gorr and the family lived on various farm sites around Eden Valley, and then moved to North Dakota in 1927. They lived there for about six years, during which time Pearl was confirmed in New England, ND. They moved back to Minnesota in 1933, renting a farm near Westport, MN. By then, she had two sisters, Betty and Sally. Pearl continued her education throughout all these moves, attending country schools and often walking 1-2 miles to get there. She graduated from Villard High School in 1934. Her brother, Robert, and sister, Darlene, were born in 1935 and 1938, respectively. Pearl was used to working hard all her life, starting as a young child gathering twigs and cow chips to heat their home, to driving a team of horses during harvest time. After high school she worked out, doing housework for others, milking cows, and even working as a “live-in” child care provider for six weeks in Sauk Centre, MN, and later for another family in Glenwood, MN. From there, she moved to Greeley, MN and lived with her great-uncle Fred Tobeck’s family and working in their General Store. When Ervin Tobeck, one of Fred’s sons, and his wife, Doris moved to Onamia in 1936 to run the Fairway Grocery Store, Pearl came with them and worked for them. Pearl met two of her best friends while working in Onamia, namely, Leona Mohrenweiser and Edna Onberg Rustong. It was also during this time that she met Leon Anderson. They were married on September 14, 1938, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Onamia. They made their home on the farm where Leon and his father were living, a mile south of Wahkon. Since Pearl had already been a hard worker most of her life, she and Leon made a good team and a loving home to many over their 50+ years together. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Jane & Gary. Pearl was always actively involved in her church, quilters group, and study club. She was also an avid gardener, a good cook, and a great baker. Pearl was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Leon, brother Bill, sister Betty, son-in-law Wally Nelson, and most all of her dear friends. She is survived by her daughter Jane Nelson, son Gary (Cheryl) Anderson, grandchildren, Julie (Greg) Fackler, Jeff (Karen) Nelson, Andy Nelson, Cory (Samantha) Anderson, Ryan (Amy) Anderson, and great-grandchildren, Jessica (Nick) Pederson, Calvin Fackler; Layne, Jayden, & Caleb Nelson; and Graham, Peyton, Henry, Finn, & Hadley Anderson. Also her siblings, Sally (Keith) Strom, Robert Gorr, and Darlene (Walt) Stier. Pearl touched many lives in the almost 100 years she lived. She will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to have known her.

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Pearl Anderson

August 17, 1916 - April 6, 2016