Willard W. Pearson, of Montevideo, formerly of rural Dawson, died Tuesday morning, March 8, 2011, at the Luther Haven Nursing Home in Montevideo at the age of 84. Visitation: Sunday from 2-4 PM with a closing service at 4 PM at the Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson and at the church for 1 hour prior to the service. Funeral service: 2:00 PM, Monday, March 14, at the Community Bible Church in Montevideo with Pastor Bruce Jarman officiating; recording of Willard singing "It Is Well With My Soul" was played; soloist, David Rupp sang "In That City" and "The King Is Coming" and the pianist was Barb Morseth. Gary Landmark, Mark Schutte, Jim Storch, Roger Swenson, Dale Enstad and David Werner were casketbearers and Louis Grussing, Bob Morseth, Harold Landmark and his grandsons were honorary casketbearers. Interment: 2 PM on Tuesday, March 15, at the Dawson Covenant Church Cemetery. Willard Pearson was born August 29, 1926, to Leander and Esther Pearson of rural Dawson, the youngest of a family of four. He attended District 28 Consolidated School west of Dawson, riding to first grade in a horse-drawn covered wagon, warmed by charcoal heaters, for six miles. In second grade, the students graduated to a covered grain truck for transportation and rode in that for the next seven years. In 1941, the Pearson family moved south of Dawson and Willard and his father farmed together, Willard with the tractor and his dad with the horses. With both of his brothers serving in World War II, Willard was needed on the farm. In 1947, he married Gloria Swanson, also of rural Dawson, and they took over the Pearson farm. In 1948, their first year of farming, they had a hailstorm that wiped out every crop on the farm, but their faith in God and their love for each other sustained them through all the trials and joys of farm life. Their marriage was blessed with their three beloved children, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Willard and Gloria were both very active in the Dawson Covenant Church, volunteering hundreds of hours in service. Willard worked on various building projects, managing the cemetery, singing in the choir, as well as singing solos, duets, and trios, teaching Sunday School, leading youth group, and serving as chairman. Willard served on many Watershed Boards, including the Southern Minnesota River Basin Board at the request of Governor Quie. He helped to establish the Area 2 River Basin Board, a nine-county Board, serving the first 7 years with no pay and no mileage allowance. He was appointed by the Lac Qui Parle County Board of Commissioners to the Lac Qui Parle-Yellow Bank Watershed District as a charter member, and he served 37 years on that board, holding many positions. He served 24 years on the Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts, holding three elected positions. He was a driving force behind the creation of Del Clark Lake at Canby and the surrounding campsites, now numbering 69 sites, a very popular place in the region. His creative vision included making the fishing pier that extends over 500 feet into the lake wheelchair-accessible, to allow everybody the pleasure of fishing. He gave generously of his time and resources so that others could enjoy the fruits of his labor. The lake is the result of a 7-year project to protect the town of Canby and farmers from nearly annual flooding. Since the lake was created, Canby has not had a serious flood. In honor of Willard's dedication, the road to the five new campsites has recently been named Pearson Lane. His deep and abiding faith was an inspiration to all who knew him. In later years at Community Bible Church in Montevideo, he served as Deacon and ministered in many other capacities to those in need. His sense of humor and warmth were especially evident in the beautiful speaking voice he was blessed with. His singing voice was deep and rich, and he sang throughout his life. At age 80, he sang, unaccompanied, some of his favorite hymns, which were later recorded on a CD that continues to be a blessing to many. Willard died on Tuesday morning, March 8, 2011, at Luther Haven in Montevideo at the age of 84. He is survived by Gloria, his wife of 63 years; their children, Susan (Robert) Mennel of Portsmouth, NH, Steven Pearson of Barrington, NH, and LeeAnn Citrowske of Montevideo; their grandchildren, Annie Rainboth of NH, Gabriel Noard of NC; Adam, Abram, Joseph, and Margaret Pearson of NH; Katie Citrowske of MT, and Solomon and Collin Citrowske of Clarkfield; three great-grandchildren, Sophia Howe, Tyson Citrowske, and Anna Pearson; his brother, Lennard Pearson and wife, Mary, of CA. He was predeceased by his brother, Austin Nyquist, his sister Louise Nyquist Gowen, and his great-grandson, Luke Howe.