Donald Pearson

Donald Clarence Pearson passed away suddenly at the age of 86, early Sunday morning, August 5, 2018.

Donald was born on April 26, 1931 in Eston, Saskatchewan, the youngest of three children of Clarence and Clara (nee Wilberg) Pearson. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jean Marie (nee Andrews), whom he married August 1, 1964; his son Murray (Carol) Pearson and granddaughter, Lindsay Pearson; his daughter Arlene (Mark) MacAusland and grandchildren Luke, Skye, and Brynn MacAusland.

Donald grew up on his parents homestead south of Eston and attended Cromwell School. A child of the Great Depression, he learned the values of arduous work, persistence in the face of adversity, resourcefulness, and unwavering faith in his work, family, community, and church. He believed that farming, despite its hardships and disappointments, offered an honest and honourable way of living, that such values last a lifetime, and can be learned in no better way. Together with his parents and two sisters, they built a future on the prairies and were role models for successive generations to come.

Donald was active in this rural community, particularly St. Andrew’s United Church, the Riverside Regional Park, and other community organizations. He was Regional Delegate for the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and served on the boards of the Eston Credit Union and the Eston Co-op. Supporting the local community and Saskatchewan businesses was important to Donald, as was building relationships with a variety of people from across the province.

A progressive farmer with a desire for learning new and improved agricultural practices, Donald regularly attended the Saskatchewan Crop Show and took classes during the winter at the University of Saskatchewan’s School of Agriculture. His respect for education as a means of self-improvement inspired his children to pursue university degrees, and the same ambition for learning extends to his grandchildren.

Although not a musician himself, Donald loved music and was an enthusiastic supporter of Eston’s public school and church music programs, and after moving to Saskatoon, of the U of S wind ensemble, the Saskatoon Jazz Society, and local musicians. Donald had a great interest in seeing how others lived and worked, as well as an appreciation for their music, culture, art and history. In their senior years Don and Jean visited a variety of places including Arizona, Hawaii, and Alaska, Australia, Jordan, Egypt and Israel.

The family would like to thank the staff of Preston Park I in Saskatoon for making the past 4 years of Donald’s retirement an active and fulfilling experience, and for the Bocce ball players, Wii bowling enthusiasts and many other friends he made among its residents.

Donald took joy in seeing all things growing, maturing and prospering: whether it was a field of Durum wheat, a vegetable garden, newly planted fir trees, a community project, or his children and grandchildren. The family is left with memories of a gentle, unassuming, generous man helping others, of a life well-lived, concerned with the well-being of his family, friends and neighbors.

A memorial service will be held for family, friends, and acquaintances at the St. Andrew’s United Church in Eston at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 10, followed by interment at the Eston Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are in care of the Kindersley Community Funeral Home and Crematorium and condolences may be left on their website. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a memorial donation to St. Andrew’s United Church, or a charity of your choice, would be appreciated.

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