Pearl Ruenzel Stearns

Pearl Ruenzel Stearns (nee Leberman) passed away peacefully of natural causes at her assisted living home Mission Creek in Waukesha on Friday, October 31 at the age of 100. Pearl was a lifelong resident of Waukesha, born there on July 12, 1925.
Pearl was fifth of six children. Her Father Carl was a typesetter for the Waukesha Freeman and her Mother Laura was a homemaker. Pearl's childhood home was on Bell St. in Waukesha near Hadfield Elementary School where she attended school. She graduated from Waukesha High School in 1943 and was married in 1945, having four children.
Pearl was a founding member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Waukesha. She loved music and sang with her church and high school choirs. Pearl was also an exceptional baker who loved sharing her creations with others, especially her family. Hobbies included gardening, floral arrangements, home decorating and her pets. She enjoyed making holidays special for family and friends and will be remembered for that.
Beloved mother of Steven (Wendy), Linda (the late Richard) Congdon, David (Connie) and Clifford "Chip" (Donna). Loving grandmother of Richard (Maria), Laura (Gabe) Haynie, Andrew (Abigail), Cory Von Bohlen, David (Carrie) Von Bohlen, Amy (Jon) Oaks, Scott (Anne), Craig (Jen) and Sara (Carlos) Irizarry, Aaron and Eric. She also had 20 Great- Grandchildren. Pearl is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Laura Leberman, along with siblings, Roy, Esther, Ruth, Hazel and Harriet.
Visitation will be at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 424 Hyde Park Avenue, Waukesha, on Friday, November 14, 2025, from 9:30 to 11:00, followed by a memorial service and luncheon at the church. Internment will be at Prairie Home Cemetery in Waukesha. Memorials to St. Marks Lutheran Church Waukesha.