Pearle Louise Young Graham Wilson
Oskaloosa. Pearle Louise Young Graham Wilson, 88, of Oskaloosa died Thursday, October 7, 2010, at the home she lived in for 60 years. She was born May 6, 1922, at Oskaloosa, the daughter of William and Maude Booher Young. She graduated from Oskaloosa High School with the class of 1940. Following high school, she worked in various retail and grocery stores. On July 30, 1943, she was united in marriage to Donald Emmett Graham. Following their marriage, Pearle stayed home to care for her family. On March 14, 1966, Don died. Following his death, she returned to the workforce, and took a job in the advertising department at the Oskaloosa Daily Herald. Later, she worked for Snider’s Dress Shop. On September 11, 1972, she was united in marriage to Kenneth R. Wilson at Oskaloosa. Ken died March 26, 2008. For many years she owned and operated the Mahaska County Credit Bureau in Oskaloosa. She sold the business and retired in the mid-1980s. Pearle was very involved in the community and her neighborhood. She gave generously of her time and talent to many community organizations including: Girl Scouts, the American Legion (58 year Auxiliary member), her political party. She was an active fund raiser for the American Cancer Society, Diabetes Association and the March of Dimes. She had a huge part in getting Webster School built. She helped establish the first Polio vaccination clinic and Fluoride treatment program in Mahaska County. Pearle was an active member of the St. James Episcopal Church in Oskaloosa, serving as a youth director and Sunday school teacher. She took great pride in her neighborhood; she enjoyed keeping up with and visiting with all of her neighbors, and she especially loved all of the trick-or-treaters that came to her home on beggar’s night as she delighted in young children. She took great pride in her home, and was the “matriarch” of the neighborhood. She loved to watch the Iowa Hawkeyes, especially the football team. On gameday she would don her black and gold, and cheer in front of the television. She was an avid reader of books and newspapers, loved music and dancing and found enjoyment in feeding her backyard birds, caring for her two dogs and flowers.
Her family includes her two daughters: Terri Graham (& Gary Martin and daughters Kristine and Jennifer) of Murphysboro, Illinois, and Maudie Graham of Carbondale, Illinois; a granddaughter: Emmie Graham; a brother: Joe (& Pauline) Young; a sister: Charlene McCarthy; five step daughters; a step son; and many step grand, and great grandchildren.
In addition to her two husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; a sister: Margaret Malin; and a granddaughter: Tess Marie Graham.
As was Pearle’s wish, her body has been cremated and no services are planned. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to Mahaska Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa or American Legion Auxiliary.
Source: Bates Funeral Chapel
