Don was the beloved husband of Arla (Johnson) Pearson and loving father of Donald Pearson of Chicago, Philip Pearson of Tonka Bay, Minn., and Kaarina Pearson, deceased, and grandfather to Donny Pearson. Surviving relatives include Dick (Sue) Pearson, June (Dr. Rafi) Rafiullah, Greta (Norman) Artzen, Karin (Greg) Meeks, Linda (Keith) Sengstock and special friend Ann Thomas. He will be missed greatly by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Don graduated from Horace Greeley High School in 1951. Author Horace Greeley said, “Go West Young Man, Go West” and Don did, moving to Chicago after serving four years in the Navy on a destroyer at the end of the Korean War. Don graduated with a degree in engineering and was a tool engineer for his career in both Minneapolis and Chicago. Don’s grandfather was a sea captain of old clipper ships and taught Don the art of making ships in a bottle. This became a passion of Don’s and he made over one hundred ship in a bottle models. He was nationally recognized as master builder of these models and had one permanently on display at the mystic Seaport Museum of Boston. Don and Arla spent the last 30 years living in Deephaven, Minn., before returning to Arla’s hometown of Gladstone in 2014 and their relatives and friends in the U.P.

The family would like to thank the staff of Christian Park Center for their kindness and caring for Don.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at the First Lutheran Church in Gladstone. Veteran’s services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Lutheran Church with funeral services celebrating the life of Donald Pearson being held immediately following with Rev. Tom Ottis officiating. A luncheon will be served after the funeral services in the First Lutheran Church fellowship area. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the First Lutheran Church. Envelopes will be available at the Anderson Funeral Home or at the church the day of the funeral service. Burial will take place in the Fernwood Cemetery. The Anderson Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Gladstone are assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences can be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.