Lois Ann Pearson

On Sept. 24 at the age of 82, Lois Ann Pearson went to her heavenly home. After a long battle with Parkinson’s, Lois passed quietly surrounded by family at her home in New Perspective Senior Living, Waconia, Minnesota,.
Lois was born in Seattle, Washington, to Harold and Gladys Pearson. They relocated from Canby, Minnesota, to participate in the war effort, with Harold building Boeing planes and Gladys becoming a “Rosie the Riveter.” This short time in Washington taught Lois to love a good apple or handful of Rainier cherries.
Lois grew up in and graduated from high school in Canby. As a teenager, she worked in her parents’ Red and White grocery store, during a time when unpacking the banana crates could reveal a live tarantula! Lois was always musical and became an accomplished pianist and vocalist. She continued her education with a bachelor’s degree in secondary English education and also library science from Augsburg College in Minneapolis. After graduation, she married Ron Kockelman and they had two children together, Sarah and Andrew, during their 30-year marriage.
Lois shared her love of literature and learning by teaching in several schools, including Pine Island, Ruthton, Villard, and Roseau. She retired after teaching at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School in Roseville, which always had a special place in her heart. Lois was also adjunct faculty at Northland Community College for English classes and Bemidji State University as a student teacher supervisor, guiding the next generation of educators.
Using her love of music and her lifelong faith, Lois volunteered her time as a religious education director and a liturgical music director for congregations to which she belonged. She was frequently invited to sing or play piano for community groups or events.
Lois enjoyed several years in the Woodbury Chorus and traveled with them to Europe. She took her final big trip to Ireland with a St. Rose group, seeing religious and pilgrimage sites, before her Parkinson’s made long trips too difficult. Always ready to try new things, Lois was an early adopter of technology and loved using her computer for her passion of genealogy.
For the last five years, Lois lived in Waconia to be closer to her children and her grandchildren, who were her constant joy. She loved attending their school and church events, especially if there was music involved.
Lois will be dearly missed by her daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Greg Bersie; her son, Andrew Kockelman; and her grandchildren, Lauren (Bersie) and Bryan Larson, Colette (Bersie) and Patrick Tate, David Kockelman and Owen Kockelman.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Gladys Pearson; and her infant brother, Harold Jr. She is survived by her beloved sister, Beverly Dybsetter of Canby, several nieces and nephews, as well as cousins, classmates, colleagues, and many friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church (41 E 1st St) in Waconia, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, with a luncheon to follow. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service. A committal service and inurnment will take place at the Canby City Cemetery at 12 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 26.
Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia. 952-442-2121 www.johnsonfh.com