Pearl Simonson, 97, of Bowman, ND, passed away on Sunday, December 04, 2016, at the Southwest Healthcare Long Term Center of Bowman.

Funeral Services for Pearl will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 9, 2016 at the Bowman Lutheran Church. Pastor Mark Nygard will officiate with burial to follow in the Tuttle Cemetery, rural Rhame, ND. Visitation will be on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at the Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Home Chapel from 11-9.

Pearl was born on June 18, 1919, in Fergus Falls, MN, the daughter of Ealis and Bertha (Knight) Erickson. Pearl was proud to be a homemaker/mother/wife. Pearl spent her childhood in various places around Southwest Bowman where her father herded sheep. The family eventually settled in the Rhame area and Pearl attended school and graduated from Rhame High School in 1940. In 1940 she married Kenneth Long and they were blessed with two children (Lucille and Russell). Kenneth was unexpectedly taken from Pearl in 1942 when he was struck by lightening on his way home from the field. Pearl moved to Bowman and spent the next two years supporting her family by taking in boarders and doing laundry for others. In 1945 she married Verne Plett. This union was also blessed with two children (Sharron and Ivan). Pearl again found herself alone in 1971 when she lost Verne from a heart attack. In 1974 she married Ralph Simonson. Pearl was again blessed with two adult children (Bob and Elaine). Pearl and Ralph had many adventures which included travel, bowling, dancing, and card playing to name a few. Tragedy again happened when Ralph passed away in 1999. In 2002, Pearl was asked to participate in a program called "Making A Difference" where she was pared with KaCee Schaeffer for a three month period. KaCee would come to Pearl's home once a week to spend an hour or so helping Pearl with chores. Instead they became friends, played games, had tea parties, and generally just had fun together. This partnership resulted in Pearl adopting the entire Schaeffer family. Would you believe another two children (KaCee and Kolby) along with their parents (Jim and Renee). Pearl was well known throughout the Bowman area for her wonderful buns, sweet rolls, cakes, pies, cookies and various other baked goodies. To this day, people fondly remember Pearl's buns. Pearl was not only mother to her four children, she also took care of other children and they all became a part of her family. Many people in the area called her "Mom" and "Grandma." In addition to her family and home activities, Pearl was a member of the Bowman Lutheran Church where she participated in the Lutheran Ladies Aid serving as president for several years and also as secretary for several years. She taught Sunday School and was always wiling to donate her baked goods and crocheted afghans for any worthwhile cause. She was the secretary for several bowling leagues, was a 4H leader for both her daughters and was proud to say she visited all 50 states and several foreign countries.



Pearl is survived by her daughters Lucille Humphries, Bowman, ND; Sharron Everett, Rapid City, SD; son Russell (Carol) Long, Tallahassee, FL: daughter-in-law Linda Plett, Pierre, SD; step son Bob (Mary) Simonson; step daughter Elaine (Clay) Schoenbeiders, Minneapolis, MN.; 8 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. Pearl was preceded in death by her husbands, Kenneth Long, Verne Plett and Ralph Simonson, her son Ivan Plett; her parents; 5 brothers; 2 sisters; 2 sons-in-law and special friends and neighbors.

Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Services of Bowman in charge of the arrangements.