Funeral service was at 2:00 PM, Saturday, March 31, at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson with Pastor Kendall Stelter officiating; other participants were: special music of
In The Garden
by Edythe Waltner; reading of the obituary by Tracy Saboe; special music of
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
by Edythe Waltner; message by Pastor Kendall Stelter; hymns
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
and
The King of Love, My Shepherd Is
accompanied by organist, Chris Lehne; son, Robert Saboe gave thoughts titled “Mom: A Submissive Follower”; message based on John 10:27 “My Sheep Hear My Voice” by grandson, Jon Saboe; meditation music interlude of
The Lord Is My Shepherd
by Jill Christie; sharing memories by granddaughters: Emily Waltner and Brenda Perry; and a closing prayer of
The Lord’s Prayer
sung by Jill Christie. Casketbearers were Emilty Waltner, Kallie Saboe, Phillip Saboe, Tracy Saboe, Mark Saboe and Ross Milne. Interment was in Grace Lutheran Cemetery in Dawson.
Pearl Viola Saboe was born on February 14, 1917. She was always proud of being a valentine. She was born at home in Garfield Township, rural Madison, to Alfred and Annie (Nelson) Erickson. She was one of the younger of twelve children. Pearl enjoyed helping on the farm, especially using horses. She loved telling the story of the time her father let her have a responsible job using horses. A minor accident gave her bruises which she carefully concealed from everyone. The reason? Her Dad, if he found out, would not let her continue her work the next day. Even into adult life, she loved horses. Riding was one of her favorite hobbies, even though she didn’t get to ride often.
Pearl was raised in the Lutheran Church. She was baptized on April 18, 1917, at Garfield Lutheran Church. Her Confirmation, at Garfield Lutheran, was on June 7, 1939. Her entire life was actively involved in the Lutheran Church, even for the arranging of her monthly tithe payment to be paid automatically when she could no longer handle her finances.
Pearl’s schooling ended with her 8th grade education. She never went to high school. As a result, she soon entered the working world as a housekeeper in a hotel in Dawson. She did so well she was given a pay raise from $1.00 to $1.25 a week!
In time, Pearl started to notice a certain pitcher on the Dawson softball team. Somehow, he was noticing her, too. Later, she changed jobs and began working for Louis Michaelson as a cook and housekeeper. This same young man was also working there as a hired hand. He was delighted to find that she could cook. They started dating and eventually she loaned him money so he could get a car license. According to Pearl, she finally married him to get her money back! So with only his brother and sister as witnesses, Pearl Viola Erickson and Obert Melvin Saboe let the pastor tie the knot. The knot held nearly 56 years when Obert died peacefully in his sleep on February 1, 1992. Pearl continued to work faithfully through her church as a youth teacher, Ladies Aid member and Ruth Circle participant. She gave hair permanents to nursing home residents and shut-ins and made lefse. (for just about everyone, it seemed; but especially her family.)
In October of 2006, Pearl entered the assisted living complex at Hilltop in Madison. Three years later, she moved to the Madison Lutheran Home. She soon won the hearts of all the staff with her pleasant, submissive personality, and her cute little jingles that she would sing. She never complained, even when maybe she should have. On March 25, 2012, she moved to her Heavenly mansion to be with her Savior and reunite with her beloved, Obert.
She is survived by one sister, Alyce Olson of Madison; her only son, Robert and his wife, Verla May (Ruby) of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; 4 grandchildren: Jon Robert (Valory), Edythe Annette Waltner (Stewart), Phillip David (Kendall), Tracy Obert (Amy); great-grandchildren: Emily Laura Jane Waltner; Amanda Grace Waltner and Tryston Michael Voegele; foster granddaughter, Lee LeTeff; foster great-grandchildren: Ross (Louisa) Milne and Dean Milne; 5 foster great-great grandchildren; other family and friends. Blessed be her memory.