Pearl Trandem

Pearl Trandem, age 92, of Erskine, MN, passed away on Saturday, December 30th, at McIntosh Senior Living in McIntosh, MN. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 5th, at Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine with the Rev. Pam Thorson officiating. Interment will be in Rodnes Lutheran Cemetery, rural Erskine. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Erskine and messages of condolence may be share at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Pearl Mae Ness was born on November 28, 1931, in Fosston, Minnesota to parents August and Rosetta (Hesla) Ness. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Rodnes Lutheran Church near Erskine and graduated from Erskine High School in 1950.

Pearl was united in marriage to Vernes Milford Trandem on October 7, 1950. To this union, two sons were born, Ricky and Les. They lived and raised their family in Erskine and Pearl worked at GW’s Store in downtown Erskine for several years. In the 1960’s, Pearl and Vernes bought the existing upholstery business in Erskine and named it P & V Upholstery. They owned and operated the business until 1976 when they sold it to Doug and Jane Hole.

After selling the upholstery business and during her retirement years, Pearl greatly enjoyed working at the Polk County Park on Maple Lake near Mentor. The seasonal people became like family to her. She loved this job that she had for several years. She also enjoyed being a part of the Senior Citizen’s craft shop. Vernes passed away in 1993.

Pearl continued to live in Erskine until moving to Valley Home Assisted Living in Thief River Falls. After a few years in Thief River Falls, she transferred to the Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine and then, after its closing, McIntosh Senior Living.

She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church where she had been active in the Ladies Aid, Circle and taught Sunday and Wednesday school. She also served as Cub Scout Leader when her boys were young. She had the honor of being named the very first “Miss Erskine” in 1949.

Pearl was a strong, loving, and very social lady. She always enjoying a good visit and a cup of coffee. She also had many hobbies and activities that she enjoyed, sewing, crafting, baking (Norwegian delicacies), growing flowers (she had a green thumb), and ceramics (she had classes in her basement in the 70’s).

Pearl passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at McIntosh Senior Living at the age of 92 years.

Survivors include one son, Les (Julie) Trandem of Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren, Tammy (Dave) Keenan, Heather (Mark) Donnelly, Jordan Bauer (Stephanie Burnham), Zach Bauer, and Lauren (Trevor) Bastian; great grandchildren, Kirsten (Austin) James, Alyssa (Erik) Brendemuhl, Landen Donnelly, Addison Donnelly, Boedy Donnelly, Everly Donnelly and Oliver Bastian; and great great grandchildren, Reagan and Cam James, and Quintin Brendemuhl.

Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Norma Ness of McIntosh and Judy Ness of Erskine; nieces, Shirley (Gordy) Erickson of Mentor, MN and Nancy Ness of St. Paul, MN; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Vernes; son, Rick; granddaughter, Michele Trandem; great grandson, Henry Bastian; brothers, Glenn, Gordon, Royal and Oscar Ness; sisters, Alice (Reuben) Anderson, and Mable Ness; and two nephews, Dennis Ness and Mike Ness.