Frances Pearson, 85 died Sunday, October 17, 2004 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls, MN.

Frances Cecelia Schmidt was born March 25, 1919 in Plummer, MN the daughter of John Fitzgerald and Frances Cecelia (Sanfason) Schmidt. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. Frances attended school in Plummer for one year then moved with her family to Red Lake Falls where she attended Washington School four years, St. Joseph School two years and graduated Lafayette High School in 1940.

Frances worked at a variety of places in the area including Savard Green Lantern, a dehydrating plant in East Grand Forks in 1949, the Officers Club at Ft. Snelling; she then went to California and Portland, Oregon before returning to Red Lake Falls, MN in 1951.

She was united in marriage to Noel Joseph Pearson on September 24, 1951 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls where the couple has continued to reside.

Frances enjoyed puzzle books, playing cards, working jigsaw puzzles, playing piano, playing bingo, gardening; she made many quilts, afghans and rugs, she especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her faith was very important to Frances. She regularly attended mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church; she enjoyed praying the rosary and reading the Bible.

Survivors include her husband Noel Joseph Pearson of Red Lake Falls; daughter, Bonnie Jo (Daniel) Veselka of Angus, MN; son, Gary (fianc, Cyntheia Gilroy) Pearson of Warroad, MN; 8 grandchildren, John Burthwick of Fosston, MN, Daniel Burthwick of Oklee, MN, Renee Veselka of Warren, MN, Karen (Jesse) Lunak of Thief River Falls, MN, Tracy Burthwick of Oklee, MN, Amanda Pearson of Warroad, MN, James Veselka of Angus, MN, Kassandra Pearson of Red Lake Falls, MN; 3 great grandchildren, Jesus Octavio Peralta, Jr. of Warren, MN, Robert Joseph Peralta of Warren, MN and Malachi Julius White of Fosston, MN; son-in-law, George (Toni) Burthwick of Oklee, MN; former daughter-in-law and special friend, Cheryl Pearson of Red Lake Falls, MN; and several cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; daughter, Rita Louise Burthwick; and sister, Ann Logan.