Pearl Wiechmann, 85, of Wagner

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, December 22, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Wagner. Burial will be in the ZCBJ Cemetery, rural Wagner. Visitation is Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at the United Methodist Church in Wagner. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner is in charge of arrangements.

Pearl Elda Yates started her amazing life on August 20, 1933 in Kalispell, Montana. She was the 4th child and first daughter born to Leon and Violet Yates. On December 19, 2018 Pearl peacefully left this earth surrounded by her loving family and was greeted by her Heavenly Father and those who preceded her. Pearl grew up with seven brothers and two sisters: Lee, David, Bob, Wilbur, Ruth, John, Dale, Larry and Marilee. She met the love of her life, Paul Wiechmann in Spokane, Washington and married him on December 18, 1955. Three months later, the couple moved to Wagner, South Dakota and started a life that challenged and thrilled her. She learned to live without an indoor toilet (but not for long). She missed her family in Washington, but she made so many friends with neighbors and at the First United Methodist Church that she was able to embrace South Dakota as her new home. Pearl and Paul (aka "that old son of a gun," according to Dr. Honke) loved each other very much and almost like clockwork, from 1957 to 1964 five girls and a boy were born. Quite unexpectedly a second boy arrived ten years later. The "P Family" became the tongue twister for anyone who wanted to rattle off the names. Pearl loved her family and her community. She proudly served with others in the VFW Auxiliary, the American Legion Auxiliary and United Methodist women Once "The Big Kids" were old enough to watch "The Little Kids," Pearl began working outside the home, first at the Good Samaritan Center as a nurse's aide. She later worked at the school as a tutor and then returned to Good Sam as activities director – the perfect job because she was upbeat, always smiling and never met a stranger. Having seven children had taught her how to be entertaining! Pearl was preceded in death by her mother, father, brothers Lee and Dave, and son-in-law Randy Gibson. She is survived by her beloved Paul of Wagner– and their children and grandchildren: Peggy (John) Phillip of Pompano Beach, FL and Carly Cripe and Charlie Phillip, Pam (Bob) Drake of Watertown, SD and Ryan Drake, Kim Bowers and Kendra Preszler, Paula Gibson (fiancé Ken Mazourek) of Dante, SD and Paul Gibson, Jillian A. C. Gibson and Cheray Christiansen, Patrick Wiechmann of Wagner, Penny (Harlan) Eickholt of Watertown, SD and Lucas Eickholt and Emily Olson, Piper (Jim) Hause of Hales Corners, WI and Jacob Hause, Sarae Lamb, David Hause, Tori Hause, Josiah Hause, Matthew Hause, Becca Hause, Benjamin Hause, Lexi Hause and Alaina Hause and Perry (Toni) Wiechmann of Fairfax, Minnesota and their son Jonathan Wiechmann. Pearl is also survived by siblings Bob Yates of Spokane, WA, Wilbur Yates of Spokane, WA, Ruth Enos of Colfax, WA, John Yates of Vancouver, WA, Dale Yates of Salt Lake City, UT, Larry Yates of Spokane, WA and Marilee Martin of Port Townsend, WA. Also left to grieve are 28 great-grandchildren and extended family and friends.