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Louise Pearson Obituary
Louise Wilma Pearson passed away at The Bethany in Sylvan Lake on Sept 18 at the age of 104 years with family at her side.
She was born June 29 1920 on her father’s homestead near Delia, Alberta and grew up in the shadow of the Hand Hills.
Her parents were James and Grace Wilson who had immigrated from Orkney, Scotland. She was the middle daughter with two older sisters Margaret and Irene a younger brother Bill and two more sisters Grace and Davina .
Life on the prairies during the great depression was not easy but helped shape her determination and thrift. After graduating high school, she worked for a time at an orchard in Creston BC then took a job at the White Lunch in Lethbridge.
She had the documents and was saving money to enroll in nursing in Calgary. These plans were derailed when she met Coaldale business man and farmer George Pearson.
After a short courtship she decided to be a farmer’s wife and they were married in Calgary. Alberta on November 17,1941.
They moved into a newly built cottage adjacent to George’s feedlot on the east edge of Coaldale.
Son James was born in May 1943, followed by daughter Evone in 1949 and son Robert in 1953.
In 1947 George dissolved the partnership with his brother Fred in the Coaldale Red Head Service station garage and they moved to the farm north of Coaldale where they built a new house a large barn and larger feedlot.
They had operated this farm during the war years and each morning Louise would drive the old farm truck to the nearby POW camp to pick up a guard and several prisoners to work the sugar beet fields as in those days this was all hand labor. In the evening the POWs were returned to the camp and she would return home with barrels of scraps from the camp kitchen which were fed to hogs.
Those were great years as they had a large circle of friends and were quite involved in community affairs. Louise was a member of the Phythian Sisters and George on the school board among other things.
In spring and fall she would drive the old Maple Leaf army truck which served as a chuckwagon while she and George trailed cattle to and from summer pasture.
The early 1950s were very challenging for the family.
The feedlot business was devastated and bankrupted by the hoof and mouth epidemic.
Louise was stricken by polio in 1952 and would spend several months in an Edmonton hospital. Evone was also stricken and would spend several months in Calgary Crippled Children’s Hospital.
Louise was told she would never walk again but typically said ” like hell I won’t”
She eventually discarded the leg braces but would always walk with a limp.
In 1956 the family settled on a farm near Rimbey and quickly became immersed in that community. Louise worked for several years at Rimbey Imperial Lumber becoming assistant manager. She also sold Stanley Products. She was also a member of the Benjamin Ladies Club and the district correspondent for the Rimbey Record.
George and Louise enjoyed life on the farm and especially weekends with all the kids.
They travelled in their camper with friends all over Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC.
She lost the love of her life in December 1989 when George passed away as a result of pneumonia following an aneurysm surgery in Red Deer Hospital.
After Geroge passed she enjoyed several bus trips to the US as well as two trips to England and Scotland with her brother and sisters.
She also enjoyed trips with family and especially weekend camping.
She would remain on the farm for several years before moving to Rimbey senior’s lodge.
Our family is forever grateful to Merv and Sharon McBride who not only rented her land but were great friends in watching over her.
At the age of 99 she suffered a stroke and after a few months’ rehabilitation moved into the Sylvan Lake Bethany.
In 2013 she broke her hip and surprised us all with her quick recovery. She would fall again in 2022 and crack the hip but once again bounced back after a painful recovery but would now be confined to a wheelchair.
She remained alert and cheerful until a few days before passing away.
She was predeceased by all her sisters and her brother, her husband George in 1989 and her only daughter Evone in January 2024.
She is survived by her two sons, Jim (Donna), Bob (Deb ), 9 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren.
The family is very grateful to several close friends and her nieces, nephews and grandchildren whose frequent visits meant the world to her.
We would also like to sincerely thank the staff of Sylvan Lake Betthany for their diligent care. She loved all of you.
Funeral Services will be held in Rimbey Wilson’s Funeral Chapel September 28 at 11:00 AM.
Internment will be in Bradshaw Cemetery following the service and luncheon.
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June 29 1920 September 18 2024 104 Years Old
Death notice for the town of: Lacombe, Province: Alberta
death notice Louise Wilma Wilson Pearson June 29 1920 September 18 2024 104 Years Old
obituaries notice Louise Wilma Wilson Pearson June 29 1920 September 18 2024 104 Years Old
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Louise Wilma Wilson Pearson June 29 1920 September 18 2024 104 Years Old and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
