Mark Pearson, 81
Mark Pearson, 81, of Hallock, Minnesota passed away on Friday, July
6th, 2012 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Fargo, North
Dakota. Mark Ross Pearson was born April 5, 1931 in Weyburn,
Saskatchewan to Otto and Lottie (Hicks) Pearson. The family moved to
the United States when Mark was nine months old and settled in
Hallock. He was a 1949 graduate of Hallock High School.
Mark served in U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955. He graduated first in
his class at class “A” mechanic school, and went on to become a
construction mechanic first class with the Seabees His Naval service
took him to many places which included Cuba, French Morocco, Greece,
Egypt and the Suez Canal.
On July 14,1956 he married Helen Hanson in Lancaster, Minnesota and
they settled in Hallock. Mark started developing his mechanical
ability when he was 8 years old. In the shop where his Dad worked,
Mark was often lifted up into large equipment engine compartments and
instructed what to do, as he was able to reach into these tight
places. As a young man, he operated large construction equipment and
was know for his skill. In 1965, Mark and Helen built Pearson Auto
Service in Hallock. He had the GM Dealership as well as the Honda
Motorcycle Dealership and became a valuable resource for other
mechanics. Mark never hesitated to share that knowledge. He never
truly retired, and enjoyed being able to assist others with their
vehicles. It gave him a sense of community to make himself available
for those who needed his services. Only two days before he passed,
he was at his shop, with Helen, fixing a motorcycle.
Mark enjoyed building and tuning racecars. He raced numerous cars
and brought home many trophies. Many will remember how his #4 racecar
could start a race at the back of the pack and then proceed to win
the race. Mark held many track lap records in the local racing
circuit.
Mark enjoyed working on or driving anything that had a motor. This
included motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles, airplanes, racecars and
4-wheelers. Anyone who ever rode with Mark knew just how much he
enjoyed these outings and the outdoors. Mark thoroughly enjoyed
camping, traveling and most any outdoor activity. He took numerous
trips by boat, motorcycle, and motor home and one summer he enjoyed
flying his own airplane to Alaska.
Family was important to Mark and he always looked forward to these
visits. He enjoyed the drop-in visits at his shop and always had
time for a few jokes over a cup of coffee.
Family members include his wife, Helen; a daughter, Kim (Jeff)
Sjostrand of Alexandria and their children, Kristen and Rachel; a
son, Mark (Ronda) Pearson, Phoenix, AZ; three sisters, Aileen (Bill)
Halos, Minneapolis, Kaye Weber, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Beatrice
Passolt, Minneapolis; two brothers, Gary (Char) Pearson and Alan
(Donna) Pearson both of Minneapolis; and nine nieces and nephews. He
was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Dr. Kermit
Pearson.
Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, July 13th, 2012 at 11:00
a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church at Hallock. Interment will be
in Greenwood Cemetery, Hallock. Visitation will be held at the
Austin Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. with a
prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Rev. Mike Schendel, presiding; Kristi
Morrison, organist; Charles and Patti Swanson, duet. Honorary casket
bearers will be Bob Anderson, Greg Snare, Bill McGovern, Richard
Gjovik, David Sorenson and Robert Cameron. Military honors will be
accorded by the Hallock American Legion.
