Janie Lizbeth Pearson

1951 - 2025

Janie Lizbeth (Thompson) Pearson, age 73 of Cambridge, Minnesota passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on September 3, 2025

On November 14, 1951, Janie Lizbeth (Thompson) Pearson, was born into the military family of Colonel James and Beverley Thompson, in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. She and her brother Mark enjoyed a childhood which involved multiple moves into France and Germany when they were quite young and then later to a different state almost every year through their college years. Janie always thought the life of an army brat was colorful and enriching, with far more pros than cons.

While attending her sophomore year at UC Berkeley, she was approached by two staff women with Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC, now called Cru), and, for the first time, had the gospel of Christ explained to her. It was quite unsettling as she truly knew nothing about Christianity! But the loving woman she began meeting with was happy to help answer her questions. To this day she will always be grateful to CCC for helping her understand that God is a God of love and was the One who wanted a personal relationship with her.

She worked for a year after college, joined the staff of Campus Crusade, and then spent six years in Illinois, first working with students at the University of Illinois in Champagne, Urbana and then, later, for four years at Evanston, Illinois, at Northwestern University.

She and Dave met as he was finishing up his residency in Duluth. Janie and Dave married in 1981, and, instead of constant moves, they enjoyed small town life in Cambridge, a wonderful place to raise their children, Jake and Molly. They loved the congregation of Stanchfield Baptist and then enjoyed many more years at First Baptist Church in Cambridge. She had various hobbies, including photography, reading, walking, knitting, women's ministry and spending time with friends.

On top of the joy Dave, Jake and Molly brought to her, she also loved being a grandmother to William, Chester and Lisbeth. She took her grandkids on many outings and welcomed them for sleepovers and tea parties.

When Dave retired from the Cambridge Medical Center, they both felt led to the beautiful community of Surprise, Arizona and fell in love with the people they met there. Little did they know how much they would enjoy spending winters in beautiful Arizona and coming back for cooler Minnesota summers.

In Janie's words: "What a joy to make such great friends in Surprise, AZ, continue deep friendships with our Cambridge "family," and begin some new ones at Renovation Church in Blaine. Relationships are everything...first with Jesus, then with friends in the body of Christ. Nothing better! We are so grateful to God for all His goodness to us. My journey with cancer has brought me closer to Him and revealed even more of His love for me personally. We so treasure each and every relationship. Thank you!"

Preceded in death by her parents, James and Beverley Thompson.

Survived by her loving husband, David Pearson; son, Jake Pearson; daughter, Molly (Patrick) Vesperman; grandchildren, William, Chester, and Lisbeth Vesperman; brother, Mark Thompson; sister-in-law, Marilyn (Curt) Winsor; nephew, Andy Winsor; nieces, Maggie Larson, Salina Schroeder, and Alicia Moore.

Memorial Service 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 11, 2025 at Renovation Church in Blaine. Visitation one hour before the service.

Memorials preferred to: Recycled Lives, PO Box 408, Cambridge, MN 55008 or Cebu Shelter Home, PO Box 247, Cambridge, MN 55008.

Arrangements by Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Condolences at: www.carlsonlillemoen.com.