Phyllis Arlene Pearson
December 7, 1929 - September 27, 2018
Phyllis Arlene Pearson, age 88, of Knoxville, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Phyllis Pearson was born on December 7, 1929 in Pershing, Iowa to James Alfred and Elva L. (Martin) Nicholson. She was the first of two daughters. Her family moved around the Marion County area when she was younger, as her dad worked in the coal mines. She attended school in Attica and graduated from Attica High School, class of 1947. While in high school, Phyllis excelled at being a forward on the girl’s 6 on 6 basketball team. After high school, she attended William Penn College and received her teaching certificate. Phyllis taught at one room schools until her mother had a stroke. She was united in marriage to Marvin Eugene Pearson on July 26, 1949. After getting married, she also worked as a secretary at the Marion County Abstract office. She was proud of how fast she could type without errors. They moved to Stephens Point and Milwaukee in Wisconsin. After the birth of their first daughter Vickie, they purchased an acreage from her father, Alfred Nicholson next to Attica and she lived there most of her life. Together they were good neighbors, helping others where needed. They were blessed with three daughters; Vickie, Paula and Linda. Phyllis and Marvin enjoyed 44 years of marriage, before his death on January 14, 1993. Phyllis was a member of the Attica Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. She was involved with the PTA while her daughters were in school and was active with fundraising and helping with the Twin Cedars Band Boosters. She enjoyed traveling and taking bus trips all over the country. Her hobbies and interests included gardening, sewing, canning vegetables, and watching the Hawkeyes and Cyclones play basketball. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 5, 2018 at the Winfield Funeral Home in Knoxville, Iowa beginning at 3:00 P.M. Phyllis’s family will be present from 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. to greet friends and family. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the Olive Chapel Cemetery in rural Attica at 10:00 A.M. Those left to cherish her memory include two daughters; Vickie (Ronald) Arkema of Oskaloosa, Paula (Thomas) Sandmeier of rural Knoxville, five grandchildren, James (Lynette) Arkema, Ryan Arkema, Lee Sandmeier, Jackie Sandmeier and Robin (Anthony) Floden; six great-grandchildren, Keaton Arkema, Mia Rice, Tristan Sinnard, Isabelle Sinnard, Sadie Floden and Ruby Floden. Phyllis is preceded in death by her daughter, Linda Sue Pearson; husband, Marvin Pearson; parents, Alfred and Elva Nicholson; sister, Bernadine VandeKamp, father and mother-in-law, Paul and Clenna Pearson and brothers-in-law, Dale Pearson and Donald Pearson. Memorials made by given in Phyllis’s memory to the Knoxville Public Library and the Olive Chapel Cemetery Association.
Phyllis Arlene Pearson, age 88, of Knoxville, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Phyllis Pearson was born on December 7, 1929 in Pershing, Iowa to James Alfred and Elva L. (Martin) Nicholson.... View Obituary & Service Information