Pearl Thompson

PEARL ESTHER (MATZKE) THOMPSON

Pearl Esther (Matzke) Thompson went to be with her Savior on September 10, 2017, at the Stewartville Care Center, where she had been living for nearly a year.

Pearl was born June 2, 1924, in Winona, MN, to Walter and Elsadie (Brown) Matzke. As an infant she was baptized and later confirmed at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Norton Township. She grew up in the Altura, MN, area and graduated from Winona High School. After graduation, she went to work in Milwaukee, WI, where she met Ronald Thompson. Pearl and Ron were married in a double ring ceremony along with their best friends, Alvin and Ada (Luehmann) Gensmer, on November 16, 1943, at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lewiston.

After their marriage, Altura became their home where they raised their three sons: Allan, Doug, and Jerry. Pearl worked beside her husband on the farm for 14 years. In 1959, they purchased the Oliver dealership in Altura and operated it together for 19 years. Pearl and Ron moved to Lewiston in 1989, and continued to work together in the real estate appraisal business until their retirement in 2007.

Pearl was very generous in her love for her family and enjoyed spending time with them. She was a good Christian role model who will be remembered as a kind, gentle and honest woman loved by many.

She is survived by her husband, Ronald; three sons: Allan (La Loni) Thompson of Lewiston; Douglas (Kristeen) Thompson of Rochester; and Gerald (Charlann) Thompson of Rochester; 9 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Bernice Matzke. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Urban Matzke.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Stewartville Care Center for the loving care and empathy shown to Pearl during her stay, and to Season's Hospice while she was under their care.

Visitation will be held from 5 PM to 7 PM on Thursday, September 14, 2017, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lewiston, and again at the church on Friday, September 15, 2017, from 10 AM until the funeral service at 11 AM.  The Reverend Michael A. Lindemann and the Reverend Paul Kuckhahn will officiate.

Pearl will be laid to rest at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Norton.

Pallbearers will be: Mike, Josh, Corey, and Ben Thompson; and Taylor and Brady Bartelson.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be directed to Stewartville Care Center, Season's Hospice or St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church or School.

Please share memories of Pearl and view her video tribute at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.

Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home of Winona is assisting the family with arrangements.