Pearl M. Severson Obituary
Pearl will be laid to rest next to Donald at Ft. Custer National Cemetery later in the year. Memorial contributions may be made to Calhoun County Medical Care Facility.
Pearl M. Severson, 92, died peacefully on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at Calhoun County Medical Care Facility surrounded by the love of her family.
She was born on April 13, 1931, in Waubay, SD, to Harvey and Emilia (Neuharth) Olsen.
She graduated from Summit High School, Summit, SD, in 1949, and Northern State Teachers College, Aberdeen, SD, in 1951. She taught in a one room schoolhouse in the Summit area and Kindergarten in Minot, ND. She was an avid seamstress, furniture refinisher, and artist. Her passion in art was creating pottery from the wheel. Her Blueberry Original Design pottery was patented, and she participated in many art shows in Michigan.
Pearl married Donald A. Severson on September 12, 1953 in Summit, SD, two weeks after Don returned home from serving two years in Guam. She was a devoted wife, packing up her household, children and heart and moving across the country to serve God and nation. After they were married, they moved to Alexandria Air Force Base in Louisiana; then headed on to the Black Hills Ordnance Depot in SD; Minot Air Force Base in ND; Jefferson Proving Ground in Madison, IN; Stanley R. Mikkelsen Safeguard Complex in ND; and finally, in 1975, to Battle Creek, MI where they made their earthly home. It should come as no surprise that Pearl had the gift of gab and the ability to quickly make friends. No one was a stranger to her. Pearl served her Lord in many different Lutheran congregations across the country, working hand in hand with her beloved husband, Don, including assisting in the construction of a new church in Madison Indiana. In her final years at Calhoun Care, Pearl was who the staff called on to welcome new residents. She dearly loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and the many friends she made across the country. She enjoyed her travels with her sisters, Alice and Lillian, her dear friends, Dana and LaNell Peep, and Ione Dixon. Her faith was strong, and we find comfort in knowing she is safe in the arms of her Savior.
She was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Battle Creek, MI.
She is survived by her sons, Wayne (Pam) Severson of Madison, IN; Paul Severson of Detroit, MI; a daughter, Cynthia (Mark) Fredenburg of Plainwell, MI; grandsons, Jacob (Brooke) Fredenburg, of Bellevue, MI; Andrew (Hannah) Fredenburg of Battle Creek. MI; Benjamin (Kristy) Fredenburg of Richland, MI; Tyler Severson of Madison IN; and Austin Severson of Waterford, MI; three precious great-granddaughters, Arianna, Audrey and Aliyah; brother, Herb Olsen of OshKosh, NE; sister, Lillian Jacobson of Paynesville, MN; brother-in-law, Gene Knopf in Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces and nephews with whom she kept in contact with until the end.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Don; and her sister, Alice Rudebusch.
