Pearl Urbatsch

FOREST CITY | Pearl Margaret Urbatsch, 95, of Forest City, died Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City. 

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, at the United Methodist Church in Forest City with a gathering of friends and family, one hour prior to services. The service will be followed by a private burial at the Bohemian Cemetery in Plymouth.

Memorials may be directed to the Pearl M. Urbatsch Memorial Fund, in care of the family.

Pearl M. Urbatsch was born on April 3, 1918, the daughter of John and Laura (Prell) Koci, at home near Plymouth. She graduated from Grafton High School in 1935 followed by one year attending Cedar Falls' Teacher's College. Pearl then completed coursework at Hamilton Business College where she graduated in 1937.

On Sept. 30, 1939, Pearl married the love of her life, Harley R. Urbatsch in a secret ceremony in Albany, Mo. Pearl lived in California while Harley served as a second lieutenant in the Navy during World War II. Following the war, Harley and Pearl moved back to Iowa and owned hardware stores in Goodell and Garner before settling in Forest City. Pearl and Harley purchased the Forest City Our Own Hardware Store where they worked until retirement. They spent their free time with family and friends, playing cards, and ballroom dancing. Pearl was an active member of her Circle at the United Methodist Church. Harley and Pearl spent retirement traveling, completing four trips to Europe. On each trip, Pearl came home with new friends from around the world. 

Following Harley's death in 1996, Pearl decided to go back to work and became a sample lady at Bill's Grocery Store in Forest City, where she worked until she was 91, and continued to make numerous friends during her years working there. Pearl was such a positive person who always had a contagious smile. She spent the holiday season making fudge for everyone in town and sending nearly 250 Christmas cards!

Pearl will be sadly missed by her son, Harley Urbatsch and wife Pamela, of Forest City, daughter Sue Urbatsch and partner Glen Pannkuk of Forest City; six grandchildren, Kristin Hansen and husband Torben of St. Paul, Minn., Brian Urbatsch of Forest City, Jamie Urbatsch of Forest City, Katie Bowers and husband Jake of Oak Park, Ill., Laura Arterburn and husband Scott of Ankeny, Wendy Eggebraaten and husband Noah of Las Cruces, N.M.; four great-grandchildren, Emmalee Swanson, Dawson Urbatsch, Madison Urbatsch, and Ella Urbatsch, and her favorite dog, Chubbles.

Pearl was preceded in death by her husband, Harley, in 1996, her parents, John and Laura Koci, and her brother, Lowell "Bud" Koci.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.petersenlundfh.com

Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 505 N. Clark St., Forest City, IA 50436; 641-585-2685