Gerald 'Bud' Pearson

Gerald L. "Bud" Pearson, a true American success story, whose innovations in the beef packing industry, athletic aptitude, life-long friendships, and commitment to supporting the common good, passed on June 23, 2008 at the Lakes Regional Health Center in Spirit Lake, Iowa at the age of 82. Bud was born June 24, 1925 at the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. He was the son of Perry and Lillian Peterson Pearson, and brother to Robert and Marjory. At age eight, after his mother's death, Bud moved in with his Aunt Sophie and Uncle Eph in Trimont, MN. Bud excelled in school and sports, making the All-State American Legion first baseman. In 1943, during his senior year at Trimont High School, the lefty signed a contract with the St. Paul's Saints AA Ball Team. However, he was unable to play out his baseball dreams. Bud was drafted into the Navy and served in the Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Baltimore as a radio technician. Returning to Trimont after the war, Bud married Beverly M. (Schultz) Pearson on November 10, 1946. They were married for sixty-one years, and were the proud parents of Steven, Monte, Perry, Maribeth, and Liecia. Bud and Bev raised their children in Spencer, Iowa and enjoyed summers at Lake Okoboji. Through much hard work with his Uncle Eph and brother Bob, and Bud's strong Swedish work ethic, they built a successful beef-packing company in founding Spencer Foods in 1952, a beef packing company based in Spencer, Iowa. As chairman, president and CEO, he led the company to the position of the third largest beef packer in the United States. In 1972, Spencer Foods ranked 323 on FORTUNE magazine's list of the country's 500 largest industrial companies. In 1975, he took the company public, and in 1978 he spearheaded its sale to Land O'Lakes. A successful reentry into industry followed with son Steve in Beef Specialists of Iowa. In 1971, Bud founded the Pearson Art Foundation, to which he devoted much of his life's work. The primary goal of the PAF is to expand the appreciation of art in the public, and it is based in Bud's belief that the arts, like sports, are a great equalizer in society. Today, his vast collecion of Russian Impressionism and American art is on display for the public at the Pearson Lakes Art Center. As a tribute to his late son, Monte, a gallery is named after him there. A great sports enthusiast and athlete, Bud played tennis and golf for much of his life. His love of golf led him to form World Champions of Golf to feature players from the golden age of golf. As an owner of Brooks Golf Club in Okoboji, Bud and his son Perry transformed the historic 18-hole course into a 27-hole course, inspired by the Scottish links they played on trips with friends. At age 76, Bud shot a 69 at Brooks; he seemed to get better with age, and he played 76 of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World. Bud's commitment to helping others transcended the arts, as he was a great friend to the Quakerdale, a social service agency that provides preventative and therapeutic services for youth and families. Attributing much of his life's success to his Swedish heritage, Bud served on the Royal Swedish Roundtable, established the Pearson Professorship at Bethany College, Lindsborg, KS and founded the Pearson Foundation for Young Swedish Americans. Helping to save Arnold's Park Amusement Park in 1988, sponsoring charity golf tournaments for Camp Foster, and building a park in honor of his late daughter, Maribeth, Bud was passionately committed to improving the quality of life for Iowans. In his final years, Bud was stricken with Primary Lateral Sclerosis, but his spirit and commitment to working for Brooks and PAF kept Bud working at his office until his last days. A favorite song of his was "My Way" by Frank Sinatra and until the end, Bud did it his way. Bud will be greatly missed by his friends and family not only for his successes, but for his boundless optimism, his kind-hearted consideration of others, his sparkling smile, and his cheerful whistle. We are all better having known Bud. The family would like to offer special thanks to his caregivers, assistants, and hospice, who helped Bud and his family with humor and dignity during his illness. In addition to his wife, Beverly, he is survived by his brother, Bob of CO, two sons, Steve of Okoboji, and Perry and his wife Teresa of Okoboji; a daughter, Liecia Patterson and her husband Pat, and grandchildren Michael Gerald, his wife Keely, great grandsons Finn Gerald, Leif Monte, granddaughters Kimberly Ann and Erika Marie, grandsons Chance Pearson and Dillin Corbett, and special friends and family Lori Thomas, Tark Thomas, Tanner Thomas, and Misty Swink and Chet Orban. Gifts and Memorials may be directed to "Bud Pearson Cherish Home" Quakerdale, P.O. Box 8, New Providence, IA 50206 or gifts in lieu of flowers for "Betsy's Deerland Park" at the Pearson Lakes Art Center, P.O. Box 255, Okoboji, IA 51355.

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