Pearl Zoerb

On April 28, 2011, Pearl Eleanor Pederson Zoerb passed away at Bonaventure Senior Living Community at the age of 103. Pearl was born November 4, 1907 near the small town of Lunds Valley, North Dakota to Baard Pederson and Hilda Erickson Pederson. She grew up in a small house built by Norwegian immigrant farmers and was the third of eight children. She was born to a true pioneer family. Pearl never learned to ride a bike or drive a car, but she drove the family’s horse-drawn wagon to church and remembered being visited at the homestead by migrating bands of Indians and Gypsies. She even attended a parade for the famous aviator Charles Lindberg. Pearl was a Lutheran Sunday school teacher and met Ernest L. Zoerb, who was interning to become a pastor at the same church. On September 3, 1935, they were married in Minnesota. Together they raised two daughters. Ernie passed away in 1998. She was a member of the Lutheran League, attended and led Bible studies, attended conventions of Lutheran women, wrote for the national Lutheran women’s magazine, and understood perfectly the role of a pastor’s wife. She sat on the national board as secretary of the American Lutheran Christian Nurture Organization, was a member of the Minerva Ladies Society, and served as a volunteer “Pink Lady” at the hospital. She was also a volunteer bookkeeper at Holden Village and Lutheran Haven summer camps for 20 years, a member of First Lutheran Church quilting group – “The Happy Stitchers” – and proudly told of being a lifetime member of the PTA. Pearl was well-loved and received at least 100 Christmas cards each year, which she answered with hand-written letters. She always treated people like they were her best friends, probably because they were. Pearl walked continuously on her own for 103 years, never would accept a handout, and even in her late years, always made sure she was helping others. Only at the very end of her life did she accept the assistance of a cane and a hearing aid. On her 100th birthday she was asked how she felt. She responded, “ I feel like I’m only 80!” Survivors include her daughters Karen (Jim)Bateman of Idaho Falls and Gretchen (Paul) Kilbert of Fresno, California, six grandchildren, and soon-to-be six great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ernie, three brothers, and four sisters. Memorial services will be held in Santa Maria, California at a later date.

Memorial Services at a Later Date