Iona G. Pearson, age 83, of Watertown, SD, formerly Summit, SD, passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2013, at a care center in Watertown. She was the widow of Vernon Pearson. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 26, 2013, at Hope Lutheran Church in Summit. Pastor Justin Neugebauer will officiate. Music will be provided by Val Moen, organist, with congregational singing. Burial will be in the Ortley Cemetery in Ortley, SD. Honorary pallbearers will be Iona’s friends and neighbors. Active pallbearers will be her grandchildren. Visitation will be on Monday from 4-7 p.m. at Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown and in the church on Tuesday prior to the services. The family is requested to meet at the church on Tuesday by 9:30 a.m. for a prayer service. Iona was born on January 4, 1930, in Watertown, SD, to Ingolf and Sophia (Bronson) Brattelid. Following school, Iona lived on the family farm. On February 6, 1950, she married Vernon Pearson at Summit. The couple lived on the family farm where they milked cows and farmed. Iona enjoyed gardening, bird watching, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Iona was a gracious hostess. Her home was always welcoming to anyone and everyone. The coffee was always on. Vernon passed away in 2008. She was a member of the Hope Lutheran church where she was active in church, Sunday school, Circle and quilting. Iona was also active with Extension Club and Summit’s annual lutefisk supper. She enjoyed reading, hunting, fishing, sewing and knitting. She is survived by her children: LaVonne (Duane) Christofferson of Watertown, SD, Gregory (Colleen) Pearson of Ortley, SD, Vicky (Roger) Smith of Marvin, SD, Monty (Nancy) Pearson of Summit, SD, Mark (Becky) Pearson of Waubay, SD, and Kari Pearson of Bismarck, ND; seventeen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a brother, Ivan (Marion) Brattelid, of Marcell, MN. Iona was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and one son, Vince, in 2010. Online condolences may be given at--
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 04:02:27 +0000