Jeffrey Pearson

Jeffrey Pearson, age 72 of Ridgeway, IA, passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at his home in Ridgeway surrounded by family.

Private burial will be held at a later date.

With heavy hearts the family of Jeffrey “Jeff” Pearson announce his passing Thursday, June 5th, 2025. Jeffrey Francis Pearson was born in rural West Spokane in the state of Washington on March 26, 1953, the son of Gerald, and Mary (Krueger) at the Fairchild Air Force Base. Jeff, nicknamed “Fritz” by his father, grew up in Spokane Valley working and playing on the Krueger homestead alongside his siblings and cousins. Gerald, a veteran pilot of the US Air Force, suddenly passed in 1960. Mary supported her family of eight children and would later remarry to Hilmar Sather. Together they would frequently take the family to Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho – which became a second home to the family and remained a place of great importance to Jeff.

Jeff attended school and participated in many sports – being especially fond of golf, baseball, basketball, and pigeon racing. He graduated from East Valley High School in 1971. After briefly attending college where he majored in Forestry, Jeff worked as a carpenter and general contractor. It was work that brought Jeff to Austin, Texas in 1985 where he first met Dorie (Brandt), the love of his life. They were married in Hawkeye, Iowa and moved to Ridgeway, Iowa where they would raise a family together.

Jeff instilled into his children and grandchildren the values of honesty and hard work. But most important to Jeff was loving and being in nature. Whenever possible, Jeff would take them on adventures outdoors and bring home animals for them to see. Jeff could never sit for very long before he found something to do outside; hunting, fishing, or just going for a walk in the woods. If he couldn’t be in nature, he would stay busy in the garage or around the house. He found great joy spending time with his grandkids riding bikes, playing catch, pushing them on the swing, or teaching them the best way to roast hot dogs and marshmallows over the campfire.

Jeff had a large heart and caring soul, always ready to help with a skilled hand, the tools you needed, and some dry sarcasm said through a mustache covered smile. We will always look for Jeff around the campfire or when we go fishing, although, in his words, “There isn’t a fish in Iowa worth catching.” His wisdom, strength, warmth, and quiet kindness will live on in our cherished memories.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Dorie, a daughter Cassie (Dwight) Henry, a son Christian (Caroline) Pearson, two grandchildren; Aidan and Bowen Henry, sisters; Janice Johnson and Denise Pearson, brothers; Tom (Gloria) Pearson, Rick (Mary) Pearson, Brad Pearson, James Pearson, stepbrother Dennis Sather, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents and stepparent, sister Sandy Blessing, brothers-in-law; James Blessing and Walter Johnson, and nephew Gerald Grytness.

In leiu of flowers please go out and enjoy the nature around you and embrace family.