Pearl Pauline Moldenhauer

Pearl Pauline (Brennise) Moldenhauer, 99, of Bismarck, North Dakota, went home to our Savior and Lord on July 21, 2019 at 7 a.m.

Visitation for Pearl will be held at Parkway Funeral Service in Bismarck, North Dakota, on Thursday, July 25, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will also be held at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, on Friday July 26, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. with private interment at the Goodrich Cemetery following thereafter at 4:30 p.m.

Pearl was born on October 31, 1919 in Regan, North Dakota to her parents Gottlieb and Lydia (Hochalter) Brennise. She assisted her parents on their family farm while she attended and subsequently graduated from Regan High School in 1938. Following high school, Pearl met the love of her life, Arthur (“Art”) Emanuel Moldenhauer. The two were married on August 3, 1940 and began their family farm just to the west of town.   Pearl and Art were blessed with two wonderful children while in Goodrich, a daughter, Sondra Colleen (Moldenhauer) Groetken of LeMars, Iowa and a son, Kelvin (“Kelly”) Arthur Moldenhauer of Bismarck, North Dakota. Due to their strong upbringing and support from Art and Pearl, Sondra went on to become a respected educator in Iowa and Kelly a successful home builder and developer in North Dakota.

Pearl greatly respected education. While working the family farm with Art and raising two children, Pearl actively pursued and completed her four-year collegiate studies at Minot University in Minot, North Dakota where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Science with a special emphasis in remedial reading. After completing her graduate work, Pearl began her teaching career at Goodrich Elementary School in Goodrich, North Dakota. While Art farmed and raised cattle, Pearl taught second grade elementary subjects and remedial reading to many Goodrich students over a thirty-five- year teaching career. During that time, Pearl was recognized many times by the Goodrich School System for her strong teaching skills and abilities. Further, Pearl was very active with various local community organizations and served as the Secretary for the Goodrich Parent/Teacher Association. She also greatly enjoyed her involvement with the Goodrich Methodist Church where she served as both Secretary to the Women’s Club and Treasurer for the church, itself.

When she wasn’t teaching or helping others, Pearl enjoyed helping Art operate a successful family farm, reading, teaching Sunday School, cooking simply incredible meals for her family, and enjoying family activities and holidays with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Pearl and Art remained in Goodrich for fifty years before retiring to Bismarck, North Dakota to continue being actively involved with their family. While in Bismarck, Pearl assisted her son and grandson in their home building business, K & L Homes. Many remember Pearl helping her family at open houses and was known for her meticulous nature in ensuring that every new home was, in essence, spotless before the new owners took possession. Such an outcome became one of the hallmarks of the K & L business ethic.

Although Pearl may be known for her teaching acumen and community involvement, she is best remembered for her commitment to and focus upon her family. She was an exceptional spouse, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Pearl led by quiet example in showing her family through her work ethic and selflessness that nothing was more important than the family you are blessed to have in one’s life. She relished and took great pride in watching and supporting each of her family members grow and develop their skill sets and future careers. All of Pearl’s surviving family agree that they live life by her mantra, “Live life simply and don’t worry. Do what is best for your family.” Pearl was and will always be her family’s great matriarch.

Pearl (and Art) are survived by their daughter, Sondra Groetken and her husband, Alan; their son, Kelly Moldenhauer and his wife, Launa; their grandchildren, Troy Groetken and his wife, Sheryl; Trent Groetken and his wife, Nicole; Jody (Moldenhauer) Eckert and her husband, Robb; Chad Moldenhauer and his wife, Stacy; La’Cee Groetken and her husband, Josh; great-grandchildren, Katelyn Groetken, Madelyn Groetken, Olivia Groetken, Mason Moldenhauer, Emerson Eckert, Greysen Groetken, Robert Eckert, Cameron Moldenhauer, and Alexis Moldenhauer.