Robert "Bob" Pearson

Robert Algot Pearson is at peace with the Lord. Bob died December 2, 2023 and was born October 30, 1927, to dairy and rutabaga farmers, Mary and Carl Pearson in Askov, MN. He was the second of seven boys with his sister Irene, being the oldest child. Bob worked on the farm prior to serving in the U.S. Army during WWII until peace of war was declared. Bob moved to Illinois after being discharged and became a mechanic at a fledgling school bus company, which rapidly expanded. While working there he met his wife-to-be, Eloise, who was also a bus driver.

They lived in Illinois with their three children: Lisa Lee, Gene, and Guy. The family loved outdoor activities, especially snowmobiling, fishing for walleye in Minnesota, and visiting with all the Minnesota family members. They bought a farm in the Ferryville, WI, area in 1980, and moved to Wisconsin in 1990. While living on the farm, Eloise was a teacher in Lancaster. Both Bob and Eloise were pilots and owned a plane. Bob did mechanical work on airplanes. They made many trips to Illinois to visit their children and grandchildren, making their longest trip to Arizona to visit an aunt.

Taking on the job of groundskeeper at the airport in addition to mowing grass on the farm, Bob tamed endless acres of lawn. He also participated in many muskie tournaments with his son, Guy; son-in-law, Mark Lee; and grandson, Kyle on the Chippewa Flowage. He also added square dancing to his list of favorite activities. Bob was a meticulous mechanic and would help anyone who needed help and worked on various types of equipment. Bob loved being with family; he and Eloise had an October reunion on the farm with all the relatives who could come, and brought along more dirt bikes, quads, delicious food, and special music. The traditional food, Kolb, was prepared and was called cannon balls, thus the event became known as the Cannonball Run. His brother, Pastor Jim, and Jim’s wife, Audrey, even made trips from Alaska to attend. Bob was a member of Mt. Sterling Lutheran Church, the American Legion, and the VFW in Minnesota.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law; siblings: Ervin, Carl, Roy, Jack, and Irene; and his daughter, Lisa Lee.

Survivors include his wife, Eloise; sons, Guy and Gene; and brothers, Jim and Arne (Lavon). He will also be missed by many family members in Minnesota, Ohio, and Illinois; ten grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mt. Sterling Lutheran Church in Bob’s memory.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Mt. Sterling Lutheran Church. A gathering of fellowship and a lunch will be held after the service at church for everyone to join in remembrance. Bob will be laid to rest at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed at www.vossfh.com.