Wayne Charles Pearson

Wayne was born on Nov. 19, 1925, in Alpha, the son of the late Charles and Signe (Hanson) Pearson. He graduated in 1943 from the Porter School in Alpha. He was drafted into the Army Air Force in 1944 and assigned to the 306th Bomb Group in Thurleigh, England. As a tail gunner in a B-17, he flew eight missions over Germany. When the war ended, he served the rest of his military service taking aerial photos to map Spain and North Africa.

Wayne took his bride, the former Evelyn Yoki, off the farm and married her on Oct. 20, 1951. Last fall they celebrated 66 years of marriage. They built a home in Racine, Wis., where they raised their three children and later moved to the town of Brookfield, Wis. Wayne worked in the Milwaukee area as a dispatcher for Wisconsin Electric and was on a team responsible for the operation and repair of power lines to homes and businesses. He retired in 1988 with 36 years of service and moved back to the Crystal Falls area.

Wayne had a good sense of humor and was a tease, just like his dad. He was a life-long learner and enjoyed trying new things including learning to weld, play the organ and building a wooden boat.

Wayne attained his private pilot’s license under the G.I. Bill. He was a member of EAA for 50 years and active in the Wisconsin chapter where he flew a Piper J-3 Cub. He loved to read books, magazines, newspapers, manuals and — of course — always directions. He was an avid photographer, loved the outdoors, camping, sightseeing, listening to the radio and keeping the family cars in tip top shape.

Wayne Charles Pearson

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Charlene Speigel; and his brother-in-law, Joe Speigel.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; three children, Dale (Carol) Pearson of Green Bay, Wis., Gene Pearson of Coon Rapids, Minn., and Diane (Danny Ostrowski) Pearson of Minneapolis; two grandchildren, Peter (Zara Wladawsky) Pearson of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Greta (Joe) Scaffidi of Eleva, Wis.; three great-granddaughters, Lily, Harmony and Melody Scaffidi; two nieces, Karen Tatepo and Kris Speigel, both of Milwaukee; and extended family and friends.

Visitation will be 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 16 at Wayne’s home church, United Lutheran in Crystal Falls.

The funeral service will follow 11 a.m. at the church. Rev. Micheal Laakko will officiate. The Eastside Veterans Council will conduct a Military Pass in Review at 10:45 a.m.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the United Lutheran Church Building Fund.

Condolences to the family of Wayne C. Pearson may be expressed online at www.nashfuneralhome.net.

The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Crystal Falls with the arrangements.