Nils Pearson

Nils Holger Pearson, 97, passed away on January 11, 2023, in Bismarck, North Dakota, of natural causes. 

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 28, at First Presbyterian Church, 214 E. Thayer Ave, Bismarck.

Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, in the spring.

Nils was born May 15, 1925, to the Rev. Nils Holger and Alda (Skarin) Pearson in Hordville, Nebraska.  He attended school in Bristow, Nebraska, and Scandia, Kansas, and enlisted in the Army Air Force Cadet Program from which he graduated as a flight officer and bombardier. He graduated from Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas, where he met the love of his life, Joanne Zimmerman. Nils and Joanne were married in McPherson, Kansas, on August 26, 1949, and celebrated their 73^rd anniversary in 2022. 

He worked for Dow Chemical and Firestone Tire Company in Kansas.  After moving to Bismarck in 1959, he worked in sales and for Armstrong Tire Company and in 1977 became part owner, president and manager of Hedahl Tire Company, Bismarck.  He retired in 1990. 

Nils enjoyed annual fishing trips with family and friends to Namew Lake in northern Saskatchewan.  His favorite hobby was visiting with friends over coffee and doughnuts.    

He was a member, deacon and elder of First Presbyterian Church, Bismarck, the American Legion, Elks, Masonic Lodge #5, and was an active member of the El Zagal Plainsmen singing group for more than 25 years.  He served 31 years as a commissioner on the Burleigh County Housing Authority.   

Nils is survived by his wife and children:  Curtis (Jackie), Mary Kay (Douglas) Geston, and Richard (Kimberly); seven grandchildren:  Jennifer (Alex) Hennen, Andrew (Shadman Memarian) Geston, Russell (Melissa) Pearson, Marit (Ryan Ripley), Bennett (Kaatrin Holmberg) Pearson, and Sean and Katerina Pearson; and two great-grandchildren:  John Douglas and Margot Ripley. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Lois (Peggy) Johnson and her husband, Dr. Marlin Johnson, of Bismarck.  

Memorial gifts may be given to First Presbyterian Church, Bismarck.