Mary Jeanne Pearson, "Jeanne", formerly of Stewartville, MN passed away September 26, 2018 at Porter Hills in Grand Rapids, MI at the age of 89.

Mary Jeanne was born in Rochester, MN to Harry and Cathryn Murphy. She was a graduate of Winona State Teacher's College in Winona, MN. She married fellow student and future wildlife artist Charles Pearson after college. Mary Jeanne supported her husband Charles in his art and teaching careers in Owatonna and Rochester, MN while raising four daughters and taking care of her beloved horses, dogs, and cats. She was a published author and illustrator of 13 children's books. She had a strong interest in Minnesota Native American history, which was reflected in two of her published books "Pony of the Sioux" and "Ride the Red-Eyed Wind." She also illustrated "Uncle Sam and the Flag", which garnered the prestigious Valley Forge Honor Certificate Award for Youth Publication.

Mary Jeanne was ahead of her time pursuing organic gardening, cooking natural whole foods, and optimizing nutrition with supplements. She shared her passion for horses by teaching her daughters to ride their Appaloosa horses on their hobby farms first in Owatonna and later Stewartville. Her crab apple jelly and dinner rolls were legendary and were starring recipes in the family cookbook she wrote and shared with her loved ones. Mary Jeanne was dedicated to her Catholic faith and enjoyed sharing her strong faith with her clergy friends.

Mary Jeanne was predeceased by Charles, her husband of 65 years. She will be greatly missed by daughters, Lori Zimmerman (Dale), Kathy Pearson, Tammy Sadek (Paul), and Maurena Jepson (Steven); along with five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and her constant companion and feline friend, Smokey Topaz.

Mary Jeanne's life will be celebrated with a funeral mass and burial at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 9th at St. Bridget's Catholic Church, 2003 Co Hwy 20, Simpson, Minnesota with a luncheon will follow. Visitation will be held at the church starting at 10:00 a.m. prior to the mass. The service will be arranged by Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, Minnesota.

Memorials to Paws and Claws Humane Society or St Bridget's Catholic Church.