Charles Pearson, formerly of Stewartville, Minnesota, passed away at St Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI, July 9, 2016 at the age of 87. Charles was born in Redlands, California, but lived most of his life in southeastern Minnesota.
Charles served his country in the army for two years and was stationed in Korea. After the army, Charles graduated from Winona State Teachers College with Art and English degrees. Charles married Mary Jeanne Murphy in 1951. Charles and Mary Jeanne enjoyed 65 wonderful years together, raising four daughters on their farm along with horses, dogs and cats. Charles was a gifted story- teller, punster, and wordsmith. Charles had a genuine respect and love for people and animals. He also loved debating his liberal politics especially with his more conservative friends and family.
Charles taught high school art and English for many years in both Owatonna, Minnesota and Rochester, Minnesota. Early in his art career, he designed college and high school rings for the Jostens Company. Charles also worked with commercial firms such as Schmidt Brewing Company and Heileman Brewing Company designing wildlife artwork for their promotional materials.
Charles and his wife Mary Jeanne worked together to illustrate the children’s books that Mary Jeanne wrote. In addition to teaching, Charles was an accomplished wildlife artist, selling his work at art shows and galleries throughout the Midwest. After retirement from public school teaching, Charles inspired and befriended many private art students.
Charles was a strong supporter of and donated many of his wildlife paintings for auction to Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever and other conservation organizations.
Charles will be greatly missed by his wife Mary Jeanne, daughters Lori Zimmerman (Dale) , Kathy Pearson, Tammy Sadek (Paul), and Maurena Jepson (Steven) along with five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Charles’s life will be celebrated with a funeral mass and burial at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, 2003 Co Hwy 20, Simpson, Minnesota on Friday, August 5 at 2:00 PM. The service will be arranged by Macken Funeral Home in Rochester Minnesota.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
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