Clair E. Pearson

Clair Edgar Pearson, 88, died Friday, October 11, 2019 at United Hospital District in Blue Earth, MN. A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, October 17, 2019 from 9:30-11:00 AM at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, with a sharing of your favorite memories at 11:00 AM. Military Honors will be provided by the Wells Color Guard. Burial will be in St. Paul's UCC C emetery following lunch. In Lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to St. Paul's UCC Cemetery Association for continued upkeep. Clair Edgar Pearson was born May 30, 1931 and raised on a farm in Elmore, MN to Rodney and Mabel (Gesche) Pearson. He was baptized and confirmed at Evangelical United Church in Blue Earth, MN and attended school in Frost. Clair served 3 years in the US Marine Corp. during the Korean War. Upon return he was united in marriage to Ruby Schulz on May 6, 1954, at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Minnesota Lake. Two children were born to this union, Kurt in 1956 and Kelly in 1961. Clair & Ruby raised their children on the Schulz farmstead in rural Wells, MN. He was employed with Nordaas American Homes from 1954-1955, sold insurance from 1955-1962, and farmed from 1962-1984. If you ever interacted with Clair, you likely heard one of his coined phrases "ya,ya", "blabber blabber", "holy catfish", "what's news with you", "I'm just checking crops", "use this money to buy licorice and bubble gum", "use this money to buy booze and cigarettes", "ok then, we'll talk again", "bean time" (meant lunch time) and numerous other phrases too inappropriate to publish. Clair was one of nine children born to Rodney & Mabel Pearson; eldest and only sister-Irene, military serviceman brothers: Reed-US Navy, Leland-US Navy, Myron who died in infancy, Larry-US Navy, Vernel-US Army, Mark-US Army, Merle-US Navy. Clair was very proud of his family's military background. Clair is survived by: daughter-in-law Joline Pearson (Mike Sandt) of Wells, MN. Grandson Travis (wife Ellen) Pearson, great-grandchildren Christine & Claire of Dodge Center, MN. Granddaughter Sally (husband Ryan) Strom, great-grandchildren Ashley Pearson (fiancé Jared Bingham) & Logan Strom of Bricelyn, MN. Daughter Kelly (husband John "Pete") Sonnek of Wells, MN. Grandchildren Nicole (husband Jesse) Van Sickle, great-grandchild Jackson of Mankato, MN and Jake (wife Taylor) Sonnek of Janesville, MN. Sisters-in-law: Marion Pearson, Glennis Pearson, Vivian Pearson, Roselyn Pearson, Shirley Pearson, Barb Pearson and Diane Pearson, Lu Etta (Jimmy) Hardy. Numerous nieces & nephews and their families, and his loyal dog Patty. He was preceded in death by his parents Rodney & Mabel, wife Ruby (2004), son Kurt (2010), great-grandson Max Van Sickle (2019), sister Irene (husband Bob) McQuarie & brothers: Reed, Leland, Myron, Vernel, Larry, Mark, and Merle. In-Laws: Henry (wife Marion) Lutteke, Melvin (wife Jeanette) Schirmer, Marvin Hardy.