John Deane Pearson

FUNERAL SERVICES : 1:00 pm on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at the First Baptist Church in Milaca, MN.REVIEWAL : Visitation will be from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at the First Baptist Church in Milaca, MN and for two hours prior to the services at the church on Wednesday. INTERMENT : Borgholm Cemetery east of Milaca.SURVIVORS : His wife for these past 58 years; Jean of Milaca, MN; six children: Pamela (Philip) Wong of Germantown, MD, Patricia (David W.) Berg of Milaca, MN, Tim (Cathy) Pearson of Park Rapids, MN, Terri (Dwight) Swanson of Milaca, MN, Mary (Joe) Gotta of Moorhead, MN and Melissa (David) Breyette of Algonquin, IL; 27 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; his sister, Helen (Robert) Harold of West Salem, WI. J. DEANE PEARSONOctober 3, 1927 " December 30, 2010 J. Deane Pearson, age 83, a long time Milaca/Foreston area resident, peacefully entered eternity on Thursday, December 30, 2010, set free from Alzheimer"s disease that had held him in bondage these past several years, at the Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia, MN. Deane was born on October 3, 1927 in Princeton, MN to William B. and Alice (Odegaard) Pearson. It was on a small farm south of Ogilvie, MN that he grew up while attending country school nearby and going on to attend high school in Ogilvie, graduating with the Class of 1945. At the age of 17, in July of "45 Deane entered the United States Army Air Corps, which shortly thereafter became the Air Force, where he faithfully served his country during WWII Reconstruction. He was trained as a radar operator and worked his way up the ranks to become a Second Lieutenant. Deane was one of the first airmen stationed in Japan after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Following his honorable discharge, Deane returned to Minnesota where he attended the University of MN and earned his B.A. degree in 1952. On December 20, 1952, Deane was united in marriage to Leila Jean Jensen in Correll, MN. This marriage was blessed with six children. He gained employment as a management trainee for the Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company from June of 1952 until 1953. Later, he was recruited as a manager for the Northwestern National Life Insurance Co. In 1955, Deane felt compelled to return to the University of MN to earn his teaching degree. In 1956, he began teaching high school English and Speech for the Milaca School System in a career that spanned over 30 years. Deane enjoyed educating his many students and exposing them to great literature by many classic authors. He especially enjoyed his work as a drama coach in directing the Jr. Class plays for many years. In addition to his work as an educator, Deane also worked as a research assistant for the V.A. Hospital in Mpls. from 1961 to 1974 during his summers and weekends. His work involved rewriting and editing numerous medical papers and research publications. Throughout his career, Deane continued his studies in graduate programs at the U of Minnesota and St. Cloud State, just falling short of earning his Masters Degree. He served as a volunteer English teacher for the Faith Christian School of Foreston, MN for a number of years. Deane loved choral music and sang with the highly esteemed choir of the Central Lutheran Church in Mpls., for a number of years. He toured with the choir in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Italy. One of his very blessed memories was singing with the choir in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve while on tour in Israel. He enjoyed completing cross-word puzzles and was a voracious reader who loved to keep abreast of global events. He enjoyed being active with the Mille Lacs County Republican Party and was quick to help get conservatives elected into office. He was an enthusiastic MN Twins and Vikings fan. He took special pride in keeping his cars running and looking their very best. Deane developed his large yard near Foreston from a rugged pasture into a park like setting which today stands as a monument to his many hours of hard work and determination. In his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling to Thailand, Portugal and Scandanavia. Dean also traveled to Russia on a educational mission tour. Importantly, Deane realized that he was a sinner and accepted God"s gift of salvation and the work Jesus did on the cross for him. He enjoyed fellowshipping at the First Baptist Church in Milaca and participating in the men"s Bible studies there. Above all, Deane loved his precious wife, Jean; his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with all his heart.. Deane is survived by his wife for these past 58 years; Jean of Milaca; six children: Pamela (Philip) Wong of Germantown, MD, Patricia (David W.) Berg of Milaca, Tim (Cathy) Pearson of Park Rapids, MN, Terri (Dwight) Swanson of Milaca, Mary (Joe) Gotta of Moorhead, MN and Melissa (David) Breyette of Algonquin, IL; 27 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; his sister, Helen (Robert) Harold of West Salem, WI as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin brother, Duane in 2001 and twin grandchildren. Funeral services were held 1 PM Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at the First Baptist Church in Milaca with the Rev. Adrian S.M. Bolt and the Reverend Sheldon Carlson officiating. The soloists were Deane"s daughter, Melissa Breyette and old family friend, Merl Soderstrom. The pianist was Anne Carlson and the violinist was granddaughter-in-law, Elizabeth Berg. Tributes were shared by grandchildren. Interment was made in the Borgholm Cemetery east of Milaca. The Hansen-Hayes American Legion Post #178 provided military honors and the flag presentation was assisted by Deane"s grandson, Specialist Caleb Pearson of the US Army. Deane"s grandchildren served as his casket bearers and honorary casket bearers. Following the service, a luncheon was hosted by the First Baptist Church. Visitation was held from 6 to 8 PM Tuesday at the First Baptist Church in Milaca and again beginning two hours prior to the services on Wednesday.