Pearl Beemer

Pearl (Reeves) was born on March 30, 1937, in Graettinger, Iowa, a first child to Gilbert and Evelyn Reeves. At Graettinger High School, Pearl excelled in basketball, softball, and singing in the school chorus. Pearl came from a very musical family and music inspired her throughout her life. Pearl graduated from University of Northern Iowa Teachers College. Upon graduation she took a job in Lakota, Iowa, teaching fifth grade. It was there at a local soda fountain that she met Bill, the man that brought enormous love and laughter to her life during 65 years of marriage. Pearl and Bill were married in 1959 and made their home in Webster City where they set up Bill Beemer Well Company and raised their children on a farm filled with laughter and merriment, which included many animals, peacocks and gardens full of beautiful flowers.

Pearl partnered with Bill as company secretary and receptionist. She also taught nursery school for many years at Asbury United Methodist. She worked as a buyer and stylist for Iowa Miss and Mrs. Pearl loved fashion and was always known for beautifully polished nails and matching lipstick. She was also a secretary and bookkeeper for Swine Graphics and Chamness Technology, Inc. Pearl was very active in church leadership activities and PEO Chapter NR. She was a member of the Webster City Women’s Club and an Officer of the Jane Young House Foundation, which oversaw the remodeling project which led to an important community asset for Webster City to this day.

Pearl loved beautiful things and her greatest interest was architecture, interior design and gardening. She was always helping family and friends to redesign their homes and was quick to pick up a paint brush or hang wallpaper. She designed our family home and was hands-on painting, staining, making draperies and of course serving fresh baked goods at every break to the contractors that worked there. She was a skilled seamstress, knitter, chef and gardener and was always entertaining family and friends at home or the family cabin in Okoboji. Pearl taught many young ladies in 4-H how to knit over a span of 10 years and was so proud of each and every one of them as they gathered blue and purple ribbons at the Hamilton County and Iowa State Fairs. She also enjoyed being a judge for the 4-H sewing exhibits. Pearl always loved tailgating with Bill at the Iowa Hawkeye games in Iowa City with their family and friends.

Most of all Pearl was an amazing and loving wife, mother, and Grammy, who greeted all with her beautiful smile. She loved her children with all of her heart and always showed up with encouragement and positivity. Grammy’s greatest joy was her grandchildren. She loved baking for them and taking them through her gardens to smell the flowers, find rocks shaped like hearts, admire the beautiful sunsets, and scan the night sky to look at the moon and stars. We will have many beautiful reminders of her on a daily basis when we step out in nature.

Pearl is survived by her husband Bill; children Mark (Aimee) Beemer of Overland Park, KS, and Lisa Beemer of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren Morgan, Will, John and Mary Beemer; brother Bob (Judi) Reeves of Columbia, MO; aunt and dearest friend Joan Ruddy of Glen Ellyn, IL, and many nieces, nephews and cousins, whom she adored. Pearl was preceded in death by her infant son Craig; sisters Karen Christensen and Sandi Baedke; brother Don Reeves and her parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Pearl’s memory to the Jane Young House Foundation, the Hamilton County Fair Foundation, or YSS Hamilton County.