Pearson, Mary Marie Wharton Mary Pearson left her earthly shell behind and joined her husband Bob in heaven on February 28th, 2023. So many other family members were waiting for her there! Her parents, Roscoe "John" and Anna Wharton; her sister, Eunice; brother, Rodney, and her youngest daughter, Cindy, all preceded her. Left behind are her sons, Mark (Terrie) and Jeff; daughter, Debbie (Bill) Fisher; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Mary was born in Moorhead, MN in 1928. As a child, her family moved to a farm in the Glory community in Aitkin County. After graduating high school at 16, Mary moved to Duluth with a friend to find work, and then to Seattle with her sister. When her boyfriend, Bob, came back from his stint in the Army, Mary came back to Minnesota, and they were married in 1948. Mary started working as a school Secretary when her children started school, then went to Honeywell, starting at the defense plant in Arden Hills. From there, she moved through many of Honeywell's divisions and locations as an Executive Secretary. After retiring from Honeywell, Mary wasn't ready to just stay at home, so she went to work in the MN Baptist Conference office. Her organizational skills were legendary. Mary and Bob were early members of the Spring Lake Park Baptist Church. Mary held the office of Church Secretary for many years. She sang in the church choir, and was an excellent pianist. She accompanied Bob as a soloist, or the two of them performing as a duet, or the family as an ensemble. Traveling was one of Mary's favorite pastimes. She and Bob covered the U.S. from top to bottom, east to west, and most of Canada. Travel almost always involved family and/or friends. After more than 72 years together, Bob passed away in 2020. Mary continued to work as a secretary for the Resident's Council in her apartment building, until Alzheimer's disease made that too difficult. A memorial service will be held on April 29, 2023, at Glory Baptist Church, 28053 360th Ave., Aitkin, MN 56431. Visitation at 10:00am, Service at 11:00. Luncheon will be served. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer's Assoc.

Published on March 19, 2023