Charles Gephart Pearson was born May 3, 1921 in Hoxie, Kansas and passed away on November 2, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Charlie grew up in western Kansas during the dust bowl days. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II. He met his future wife, Betty, an occupational therapist, during an extended hospital stay following an automobile accident. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism at the University of Kansas, later returning to teach journalism there.
He worked as a copyreader and city editor at the Topeka Capital Journal and in 1962 moved to Wichita, Kansas where he became an editorial writer and ultimately Editorial Page Editor at the Wichita Eagle. In 1977, he took the position of chairman of the journalism department at Wichita State University, which he held for nine years until his retirement. Charlie continued writing for Active Aging until shortly before his death and also authored extensive family histories, which he enjoyed researching, even traveling to England to further his research.
He was active in many charitable organizations including the Wichita Community Theatre, Pine Valley Christian Church, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Wichita InterFaith Ministries. He loved the North Shore of Lake Superior and spent many summers at his cabin in Lutsen, Minnesota.
He wrote a book on the history of the Cascade Beach Road, which has been quite popular with local residents.
In recent years, Charlie relocated from Kansas to the Louisville, Kentucky area to be near family.
Charlie was a spirited and informed conversationalist with a penchant for politics, usually from the position of the underdog. Charlie had many friends and will be remembered not only for his considerable writing talents, but also for his wit, his talents as a chef, and especially his love for his family.
Charlie is survived by his wife Betty; three children Leslie Bissell (Arne) of Kansas City, Kansas; Brian Pearson (Lydia) of Louisville, Kentucky; and Andrew Pearson (Michelle) of Virginia Beach, Virginia; as well as two grandchildren, Alexander Pearson and Anne Pearson.
Memorial services pending.
Daniel Gerhard Monson, 79, of Grand Marais, died Sunday, November 6, 2011 at the Cook County North Shore Hospital in Grand Marais.
He was born in Two Harbors, Minnesota, and grew up in Tofte. Daniel was a Korean War veteran and was active in American Legion Post 413 for many years. He married Lyla Lee Cogley on November 24, 1956 in Grand Marais. He worked for many years at Reserve Mining in Silver Bay. He enjoyed being outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Johannes and Verna Monson; an infant daughter, Colleen; and a brother, Paul.
He is survived by his two sons, Daniel E. of Grand Marais and Gregory A. (Cindy) of Silver Bay, and a daughter, Cynthia (Steven) Jackson of Hermantown.
He loved being with his three grandsons, Andy Jackson and Hunter and Weston Monson.
There will be a private family gathering in his memory. Burial will be at the Tofte Cemetery. To sign the online guestbook please go to www.cavallinfuneralhome.com.
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