Elinor Pearson

Elinor Marjorie Wallace was born in Taylor County, Iowa, on October 30, 1930, to Charles and Marjorie (Lamboley) Wallace. She went to her heavenly home in the early morning hours of May 22, 2024, while at Crest Haven Care Center. She was 93 years of age. 

Elinor began first grade at Wheeler School north of Corning. The family later moved south of Corning where Elinor went through sixth grade at Mercer Center #5. In 1942, they moved north of Corning to the Lamboley farm. She walked to the bus on Hwy 148 for junior high and senior high and graduated with her Corning class of 1949. Following graduation, Elinor worked at Production Marketing Association (now FSA), located south of the park on the corner—the Widner building.

When Elinor was about 12 years old, she understood the gospel message and recognized her need to respond to it—receiving Jesus as her personal savior, with the promise of spending eternity in heaven one day. She spent the rest of her life desiring to live to please Him and to guide her ever-growing family to respond to the gospel message as well.

On February 22, 1950, Elinor married the love of her life and high school sweetheart, Marlin Pearson, at the First Baptist Church in Creston, Iowa, when it was downtown. They lived southwest of Carl, north of Prescott, east of Mt. Etna, and then in November 1955, moved to the home place west of Carl where they spent many happy years as their family of five children grew up. Many more special memories were made as the grandchildren and great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren came to visit. Marlin and Elinor were so grateful to be able to celebrate 71 years of marriage.

Elinor was a devoted wife and mother, including helping outside with the animals when needed, caring for her many flowers in the yard, helping her children with homework, and cookies always on hand for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren when they came to visit. Elinor was also a teacher’s aide at the Mt. Etna school while her children were attending there. She was a beautiful seamstress, sewing countless outfits for the girls and herself—even bridesmaids dresses. Her home was neat and always tastefully decorated. Family history was her passion. We are all recipients of the many details she wrote down with multiple copies so each of us would have the information she wished to pass on to the next generations. 

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Stan and Marge Pearson, Van Meter; Doug and Sheryl Pearson, Creston; Joanne and John Conrads, North Liberty; Janet and Paul Johannes, Massena; and Curt and Angie Pearson, Corning.

Twenty-three grandchildren: Tracy (Matt), Scott (Christa), Brent (Jill); Chris (Rachel), Mark (Dawn), Korey (Laura), Cody (Meghin); Eric (Heather), Ryan, Katie (Paul), Will (Megan), James (Alli); Ashley (Steven), Megan (Caleb), Bryan, Krista (Walker), Tyler (Michala), Caleb, Sierra, Alyssa, Joshua, Nathan, and Ella.

Thirty-six great-grandchildren: Aaron, Jaden, Ryan; Sam, Oliver, Elsie; Eliza, Owen, Olivia, Taggart; Kelsea (Spencer), Keaton (Summer), Jared (Lydia), Hunter, Garrett; Brendan (Laney), Halle (Clay), Evan, Leah; Mackenzie (Damon), Ashlan, Lydia, Willow; Alayna, Verra, Jayda, Reece, Meisha; Jackson, Hadley, Peyton; Jase and Mabel; Carmen and Parker; Nora.

Five great-great grandchildren: Remington, Brooklyn, Rhett; Kinsley; Renee, and two on the way.

Those preceding her in death were her beloved husband, Marlin; parents, Charles and Marjorie Wallace; father- and mother-in-law, Donald and Dortha Pearson; grandparents, James and Elfie Wallace and Francis and Minnie Lamboley; sister-in-law, Evelyn Chappell, aunts, uncles, and other relatives and friends.