Pearl I. Kallstrom

Pearl I. Kallstrom, age 93, of Rosholt, SD, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, at the Northeast Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services will be Monday, January 18, at 11:00 a.m. at Bethania Lutheran Church in Rosholt with Rev. Nancy Quatier officiating. Music will be provided by organist Lana Sand and vocalists Lana and Paul Sand.

Burial will be in the Valley View Cemetery, Browns Valley, MN. Pallbearers will be Brad Kallstrom, Todd Kallstrom, Troy Kosbab, Troy Vosberg, Scott Kallstrom, and Ryan Rothmeier.

Visitation will be Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 5:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt. Visitation will continue Monday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Pearl Irene was born April 21, 1922, in Bemidji, MN, to Zacheus and Effie Mae (Webster) Sams. Pearl lived a full and varied life, growing up in a family of many, living an almost gypsy lifestyle. As a young girl, her family crossed North Dakota in a covered wagon to Medora, where her family homesteaded in a sod house. After moving back to northern Minnesota, at the age of seven she became lost and spent a night alone in the woods, but then found the kindness of strangers. Through her young life she completed elementary school.

On February 18, 1942, Pearl was joined in marriage to Ralph Frederick Kallstrom in a private residence on Lake Traverse, SD. To this union, eight children were born; Janice, Ervin, Ronald, Roger, Calvin, Dennis, Linda and David. She and Ralph raised their family on several homesteads, but lived always from the land. Pearl found time to be part of the women's auxiliary and to contribute to the Methodist Church in Browns Valley, MN, where she was baptized on April 16, 1950. She spent most of her time caring for and raising her own family.

After her family was grown and they retired from farming, Ralph and Pearl lived on Lake Traverse for several years. During these years she worked both as a seamstress making quilts for Dakotah and as a housekeeper in Sisseton, SD. Ralph passed away in February 1981. In later years, Pearl moved into Sisseton where she loved dancing on Saturday nights at the VFW.

Throughout her life Pearl enjoyed listening to music and reading poetry. Her skills in crafting and her green thumb in gardening were legendary. All of her grandchildren enjoyed the magic she created through crocheting and knitting. All who viewed them enjoyed her flower gardens, especially her roses. All who were lucky enough to eat at her table, enjoyed the flavor of her vegetable garden. In later years, she greatly enjoyed many lutefisk feeds with anyone who would partake of them with her.

Pearl lived her life fully and was loved by all her knew her for both her kindness and her spunk. On many occasions, the staff of the Rosholt Care Center expressed to family how beloved she was for her approach to living and the joy she brought them. The family has always felt her attitude in their care was a reflection of the excellent care she received.

Pearl is survived by seven of her children; Janice (Bob) Thompson of Sioux Falls, SD, Ervin (Cathie) Kallstrom of Kerkhoven, MN, Ronald (Mary) Kallstrom of Sauk Centre, MN, daughter-in-law Julie Kallstrom Salfer of Redwood Falls, MN, Calvin Kallstrom of Tucson, AZ, Dennis (Muriel) Kallstrom of Rosholt, SD, Linda Kallstrom of Rapid City, SD, and David (Helen) Kallstrom of Cataldo, ID; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Zacheus and Effie Mae Sams; her husband Ralph; her son Roger; and eleven brothers and sisters.