Donald Robert "Dutch" Pearson

Donald "Dutch" Robert Pearson, age 70, died at his home in Mullen on March 29, 2009. Don was born Oct. 14, 1938 to Fritz and Myrtle Rector Pearson at home in Mullen. He attended all his school years in Mullen until graduation in 1956.

After high school, Don managed the Mullen Standard gas station and worked as a mechanic for Almond Elliott. It was during this time that he married Marjorie Reigle on Dec. 21, 1957. To this union four children were born; Julie, Linda, Donnie and Susan. Don moved his young family to North Platte where he worked for the Volkswagen Company. He then returned to Mullen and worked for the Abbott bank for the next 19 years. After retirement from the bank Don worked for Tiff Varney and the Mullen/Arnold Funeral Homes and Vern and Helen Dent on their ranch north of Mullen for 17 years.

Don was very active in the Mullen community. He was a member of the Commercial Club, President of Mullen Golf Course, Fire Chief, and was a member of the school board for several years, head of the EMTs and the ambulance service, active in initiating the Sandhills Sharptail Shootout. Dutch enjoyed all sports, particularly hunting. He participated in softball, basketball, bowling, and golf and ran the down marker at all Mullen High School home football games for 40 years.

Dutch enjoyed his family most of all. He and his wife recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. He was always present at all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren's various activities no matter where they may be held.

Don is survived by his wife, Marjorie; three daughters, Julie (Mitch) Pfeiffer, Linda (Doug) Boyer, and Susan (Phil) Hoyt; grandchildren, Nikki (Tyler) Gracey, Traci (Brad) McCully, Jeri Ewoldt (Jake Graff), Scott Pfeiffer, Brett (Jessica) Boyer, Dessa (Miles) Cooksley, Darci Boyer, Jacob Hoyt and Caleb Hoyt; great-grandchildren, Haley, Brady and Chase Gracey, Brittni and Brooke McCully, Conner, Carson, and Mason Cooksley; three sisters; Mary (John) Worrall, Helen (Vern) Dent, Marlene (Dean) Marshall and their families; three sister in laws, Norma (John) Pearson and Norma (Bill) Pearson and Doris (Mel) Uphoff; and a host of nieces and nephews who will all miss him greatly.

He is preceded in death by son Donald Robert Pearson Jr.; his parents Fritz and Myrtle Pearson; two brothers, John and Bill Pearson; and his father and mother-in-law, Ray and Myrtle (Shefneer) Reigle.

Memorials may be sent to Pioneer Memorial Rest Home, St. Joseph Episcopal Church, or the Donnie Pearson Memorial Scholarship.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. MDT today, April 2, at the Mullen Lariat. Internment and graveside services will follow at the cemetery in Mullen. Mullen Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.