Harriett Anita Pearson, age 98, of Shakopee, formerly of New Prague, died Thursday, December 3, 2015, peacefully surrounded by her family at St. Gerturde’s Health & Rehabilitation Center in Shakopee. Anita was born February 13, 1917 in Menlo, KS, to John and Hazel (VanBlarcom) Endicott. At the age of one, her family moved to a farm in Spring Green, WI, and later to Radisson, WI, to pioneer in farming and in lumber work. Anita accepted the Lord as her savior at the age of 11 in 1928 in the local Presbyterian VBS program. Later, when the Presbytery moved the pastor, 9 or more families left the church and started the Radisson Free Church. At first they met in the Town Hall and later built their own church. The Pearson family was a member of the Evangelical Free Church of Radisson, WI. After graduating from Hayward High School in 1935, she went in to prepare for missions, entering Northwestern Bible Institute. Anita nannied throughout high school and college to pay her own expenses for her education. Following graduating in 1939, she went on to graduate from Northwestern Seminary with a TH.B. in 1940. Using this training, she began strong support for her husband throughout his training and pastoral service.
Anita married Albert Pearson on July 4, 1942. After he entered the Navy in 1943, Anita worked as a “Rosie the Riveter”, building airplanes during WWII. Following Albert’s discharge from the Navy, they moved to Minneapolis, where her husband began bible school training at Northwestern Bible Institute. After additional college at Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, TX, they took their first pastorate in rural Walworth Baptist Church near Ulen, MN. Together they served the Lord in full-time service for 32 years. They also served in three other churches: First Baptist Church (1959-64), Granite Falls, MN, Grace Baptist Church (1964-72), Cherokee, IA, and Helena Bible Baptist (1972-84), Helena, MT. Her dedication to serving others, excellent teaching skills, and great cooking abilities served them well in each of these churches.
In 1984 they moved to Hackensack, MN, where they had built a home on Big Deep Lake, MN. While living in Northern Minnesota, they attended Lakeside Baptist Church, where her grandson now serves as pastor. Albert’s failing health led them to move to New Prague in 1994, where they managed Millpond apartment together until the death of her husband in 1999. Anita continued on another three years as manager, moving to assistant manager until she retired at age 94.
Anita is survived by her children, Lane (& Liz) Pearson of Lakeville, MN, Roxy (& Greg) Helm of Savage, MN, Dana (& Rev. Gerald) Stephens of New Prague, MN, Rita (& James) Murphy of North Pole, AK; daughter-in-law, Kathy Pearson of Coon Rapids, MN; 17 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Albert; son, Douglas; 2 granddaughters, Lisa & Leslie Pearson; parents; 1 sister; 1 brother; 2 half-brothers; 2 half-sisters.
Services will take place at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 7, 2015, at Community Baptist Church in New Prague with Pastor Gerald Stephens officiating. Visitation will occur Sunday from 5-7 PM and Monday morning one hour prior to service, all at church. Lunch will follow services at the KC Hall in New Prague. Burial will take place at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery on Tuesday morning. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Gertrude’s Foundation.
