ROCHELLE — Kathryn Isabella (Bihrer) Pearson, 89, formerly of Rochelle and Esmond, died on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Sycamore. 

Kathryn was born on March 20, 1929, in Odebolt, Iowa, the daughter of John and Alice (Nellist) Bihrer. She was a graduate of Early High School, in Early, Iowa. She was a member of the National Honors Society. After high school graduation, she worked at DeKalb Agriculture in Storm Lake, Iowa, where she met her future husband. She married Forrest D. Pearson on March 25, 1949, in Early, Iowa. She lived on the farm in Esmond where she raised four boys, went to many sporting events and helped on the farm.

Kathryn was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a member of the Rochelle and Esmond United Methodist Churches. She taught Sunday school for many years and served on several church committees. She was a former member of the Esmond School Board and the Morning Book Club at the Library. She was an avid reader and genealogist.

Survivors include two sisters, Janet (Wayne) Dummer of Lindenwood and Sharon Dempsay of Mansfield, Texas; four sons, John (Cathy) Pearson of Lindenwood, Steven (Georgia) Pearson of Mount Morris, Roger (Karen) Pearson of Rochelle and Brian (Michelle) Pearson of Santa Barbara, California; 12 grandchildren, Mark (Cindy) Pearson, Todd Pearson, Matt (April) Wells, Laura Pearson, Anna (Heath) Blumeyer, Josiah Pearson, Ariel (Melissa) Pearson, Sarah (Robert) Flanagan, Mary (Bryan) Kunstman, Rachel (Eric) Livingston, Justine (Riley Muraoka) Andersen and Camille Andersen; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest; three sisters; and two brothers.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7p.m. on Friday, Jan. 11 at Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. Sixth St., Rochelle. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12 at Rochelle United Methodist Church, 709 Fourth Ave. in Rochelle with Rev. Rob Hamilton officiating. Burial is at Woodlawn Cemetery, Creston. 

In Lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Rochelle United Methodist Church, the Flagg-Rochelle Public Library District and Lincolnshire Place.  

Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book