Elmer "Pete" B. Pearson

SIOUX CITY -- Elmer "Pete" B. Pearson, 94, of Sioux City passed away Monday, Feb. 14, 2011, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, February 19, 2011 at Cathedral of The Epiphany Catholic Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. William J. Vit Jr. as celebrant. Interment will follow in South Creek Catholic Cemetery, rural Ponca, Neb. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, with the family present at 6 p.m., a vigil service at 7 p.m. which will include times for sharing and a rosary at 7:30 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com

Pete was born June 29, 1916, near Newcastle, Neb., to Bernard "Barney" and Pearl (Flageolle) Pearson.

He married Mary Margaret "Midge" Lowe on Feb. 16, 1942, in Ponca, Neb., where they raised 10 children on a farm west of town. In 1959, Pete began working at Concrete Pipe Machinery Co. in Sioux City, while continuing to farm 240 acres. He worked setting up machines that made concrete pipe and traveled throughout Europe, Asia, and South America. In 1969, Pete and Midge sold their farm and moved to Sioux City. Pete retired from Concrete Pipe in 1981, and they later moved to the Terrace Apartments in Sioux City, where he became the apartment manager. Pete also worked for H & R Block for 15 years in the Sioux City area.

He enjoyed playing cards and telling stories to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Pete is survived by his 10 children, Ron (Phyllis) Pearson of Bellevue, Neb., Joe Pearson of Mount Carmel, Pa., Mary Kay Pearson of Omaha, Linda (Sam) Gutshall of Oceanside, Calif., Helen (Mike) Goble of Eaton, Colo., Judy Pearson of Wheatridge, Colo., Pat (Roxie) Pearson of Dakota City, Mike Pearson of Ramah, Colo., Karen Thoreson of Fargo, N.D., and Ray Pearson of Fort Collins, Colo.; 22 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and brother, Earl Pearson of Kent, Wash.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Midge; infant son, John; great-granddaughter, Chrysti Williams; sisters, Adeline, Marie, Ruth, and Frances; brothers, Everett and William; and companion, Vera Allner.

The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and caregivers of Mercy Medical Center, Hospice of Siouxland, Countryside Senior Living Center, and Northpark Senior Living for all the care and compassion.