Pearson, Geraldine Lois (nee Smith)

November 12, 1923 – October 25, 2019
Age 95 of Minneapolis. Geraldine “Jerry” Pearson was made of music. She played the same Henry Detmer piano for her entire life, which her parents bought for $100 when she was 3 years old. On that piano, Jerry learned the notes she needed to join the St. Olaf choir (where she led the tenor section during WW2), toted it around the country as a church organist and young mother, taught countless piano students, and finally brought it with her when she moved in with her daughter-in-law Nancy and granddaughter Kari. In the last days when she could no longer play, we played for her instead. On Oct. 25, Jerry passed away at age 95 with family by her side. She is now making music alongside her husband, Rev. Neal Pearson, and sons Brian and Jack. Those who remain– daughters Kathy Pederson and Jeanne Pearson, son Randy (Shirl) Pearson, 12 grandchildren, and 14 great-grand children– still hear the rich, loving, complex chords of her life, and we cherish them. Please join us in remembering Jerry at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (4100 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls. – bethlehem-church.org). Memorial service on Friday, November 1, 2019 at 2:00 PM. Visitation 1 hour prior. Private interment at Fort Snelling. Please send memorials to a place that makes you think of Jerry. (Published in the Star Tribune October 30, 2019)