Obit: Pearson, Robert Dennis (1926 – 2009)

Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Pearson, Gibson, Watson, Potter, Hoff, Stenulson, Williams, Mata, Palmer, Kalyvas

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) September 30, 2009

Pearson, Robert Dennis (15 March 1926 – 24 September 2009) With Flag

Robert D. “Bob” Pearson, 83, of Black River Falls passed away Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009, at his home while under the care of Black River Hospice.

Robert Dennis Pearson was born in Minneapolis, MN, March 15, 1926, to Helman and Gertrude Pearson.  He was raised in Minneapolis where, as a youngster, he operated a daily newspaper route. He also graduated from high school in Minneapolis.

Following his high school graduation, Bob enlisted in the U. S. Navy and served during World War II.  Following his discharge from the navy, Bob became employed as a representative of Coast to Coast Stores and travelled throughout the Midwest setting up new stores.

He married Mary Etta Gibson, Sept. 24, 1950, in Le Sueur, MN.

The couple first settled in Le Sueur, where they owned and operated a Coast to Coast Store.  In March of 1951, Bob and Mary along with Bob’s parents moved to Black River Falls where they purchased the former Olaf Mork Hardware store, which was then, renamed Pearson’s Hardware.  The couple continued to operate Pearson’s Hardware at the downtown location until 1990 when they built a new building.  At that time, their son, Todd, assumed management of the store.  Mary and Bob retired from the hardware business in 2000.

Mary Pearson died Aug. 21, 2005.

Bob kept extremely active in retirement.  For several years, he assisted his son, Todd in the operation of the Rose Ranch of Merrillan.  He also continued to build and repair bicycles, which he had done for over 50 years. Around Black River Falls, Bob Pearson was known as the “Bike Man.”  His hobbies included working at the Hardware store and at Pearson’s Sport Shop and collecting coins.  In his earlier years, he also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by two daughters, Barbara Watson of Colorado Springs, CO, and Kathy (Bill) Potter of Black River Falls; a son, Todd (Kari) Pearson of Black River Falls; seven grandchildren, Gretchen Hoff, Adrian (Wauneta) Hoff, Ben (Lucressia) Hoff, Mindy (Rodney) Stenulson, Corey (Rebecca) Potter, Amber Pearson and Bobby Pearson; 14 great-grandchildren, Jaymie Potter, Nathan Stenulson, Megan Stenulson, Brandon Stenulson, Joshua Potter, Korynn Potter, Raymond Hoff, Emaya Hoff, Freya Williams, Jasmine Hoff, Brittany Hoff, Christopher Hoff, Branson Hoff and Alexisa Hoff; two great-grandchildren, Maquilos Mata and Mia Palmer; two brothers, Doug (Bev) Pearson of Scottsdale, AZ, and Charles “Bub” Pearson of  Le Sueur, MN; and other relatives and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, and his parents.

Memorial services with full military honors will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, 2009, at the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls. Pastor Greg Kalyvas will officiate.

Family and friends are invited for visitation from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Buswell Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given to either Black River Memorial Hospice, or Family Worship Assembly.

On line condolences may be offered at www.buswellfuneralhome.com.