Gladys F. Pearson

Gladys Pearson passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton, MN, at the age of 96 years, 2 months, and 14 days.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday, May 27, at 11:00 a.m. at Bethania Lutheran Church in Rosholt with Rev. Nancy Quatier officiating.  Music will be provided by Ruby Larsen and Kay Braun.

The service will be livestreamed on the Bethania Lutheran Church Facebook page.

Visitation will be one hour before the service.  Active Pallbearers will be Janet Brandenburger, Lauri Hanson, Whitney Klein, Amy Boles, Kay Brandenburger, and Leann Sando.  Honorary pallbearers will be Louise Quaal, Shawn Dobberstein, Tom and Harriet Wagner, Tom and Corliss Vergeldt, Jeff and Pat Graner, and all of her friends throughout the years.

Burial will be at Bethania Cemetery, east of Rosholt.  A reception honoring Gladys will be held at the church following the burial.

Gladys Florence Olson was born on March 6, 1929, in Wheaton, MN, to Manfred and Alwine (Meister) Olson.  She was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Lutheran Church, rural Rosholt.  She walked two miles each day to attend West Harmon grade school south of Rosholt, and later she graduated from West Central School of Agriculture in Morris, MN.

Gladys worked for Montgomery Ward Company in Wahpeton, ND, for one year before marrying Kenneth Quaal on October 10, 1947.  They had two children:  Dr. Susan Quaal (Salt Lake City, Utah) and the late Tom Quaal.

Kenny and Gladys owned the Our Own Hardware store in Rosholt, SD, until Ken's death on June 11, 1972.  After selling the hardware store, Gladys worked at the Rosholt bank for two years before marrying Clifford Pearson, a local farmer.  They lived in Rosholt and later retired there.

Gladys taught Sunday School and Bible School as well as holding various offices in both St. Joseph and Bethania churches.  She was active in the community as well as the Legion Auxiliary.  Gladys was honored to sing at many weddings, funerals, and other events throughout the years.

She loved being with her family as well as her three little neighbor girls.  She always loved having coffee with her friends and family.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husbands; her son, Tom and daughter-in-law, Patti Quaal; and all of her siblings, Edward, Esther, Elsie, and Harry.

Gladys is survived by her daughter, Susan; her sister-in-law, Doris Pearson; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be donated to Bethania Lutheran Church, Rosholt First Responders, or the charity of your choice.

Susan, Jeff and Carol, and Doris are very grateful for the excellent care and support that Gladys received during these difficult times.