PEARSON, Elsie M.

Elsie M. Pearson, age 89, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away June 13, 2007. Elsie was the daughter of Emma and Arthur Johnson, born on October 27, 1917 in Malung, Minnesota. In her younger years she worked as a telephone operator of a rural telephone switchboard operated by her parents. Elsie married Elmer Pearson on Oct. 2, 1937 and later they moved to Minneapolis for employment. After a few years, Elmer was called to serve in the Navy and Elsie returned with her family to Roseau, Minnesota, where they settled and together they raised four children, David, Vernette, Donna and LeAnn. In 1957 they, along with their three daughters, moved to Phoenix, Arizona where they lived until the present. She is survived by her four children, David (Willie) Pearson of Anthem, AZ, Vernette (Herb) Christensen of Junction City, Oregon, Donna Pritts of Glendale, AZ, LeAnn (David) Otis of Buckeye, AZ; 8 grandchildren, Scott (Sue), Lisa (Steve), Karma (Bill), Mark (Eva), Karen (Rusty), Chad (Gail), Chris (Traci) and Janelle; 11 great grandchildren, Chad (Brenda), Keri, Chelsie, Danny, Katie, Lauren, Gabriel, Leslie, Hailey, Dalton, Cole, Shaeleen; 4 step grandchildren; 7 step great grandchildren; 1 step great great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews; one brother Orlen (June) Johnson of Roseau, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer Pearson in 1989 and two brothers and their wives, Adolph (Mable) Johnson and Vernon (Martha) Johnson. Visitation was at Hansen Mortuary, 8314 N. 7th St. Funeral Services were held at Shadow Rock Congregational Church, 12861 N. 8th Ave. Interment at Phoenix Memorial Park, 200 W. Beardsley Road. Published in The Arizona Republic from 6/15/2007 - 6/16/2007.