Patricia L. Pat Pearson

Pearson, Patricia L. “Pat”, passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at Clare Bridge in Wichita. Pat was born at Davis City, Iowa on February 22, 1927, to Harold and Grace Benton. She grew up on the family farm, attended country school and graduated high school in Leon, Iowa. She then attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. On December 30, 1944, Pat met a young soldier from Leon who was home on leave from the army. That date started a one and a half year correspondence and occasional leave courtship that culminated in a wedding on November 24, 1946. Bob enrolled in the University of Iowa and Pat got a job as secretary for the dean of one of the colleges at the University until Bob graduated in 1949. The couple moved to Des Moines, and started a 36-year career with J.C. Penney Co. Pat then became a devoted homemaker, loving and supportive wife, and in 1951, a wonderful, caring mother. With Penneys, the couple made nine moves to nine different cities, ending in Wichita in 1982 at the Towne West Penney store. They chose to make Wichita their retirement home in 1986. Pat is survived by her husband, Bob; daughter, Kristie Cooper of Houston, TX; several cousins around the country. She is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Grace Benton and Robert and Stella Pearson of Leon, IA; sister-in-law and husband, Juanita and Lavern Sivits of North Platte, NE. A memorial service is planned at 3 p.m., Tuesday, January 17 at Downing Lahey Mortuary East Chapel, 6555 E. Central. Burial and graveside services will be 3 p.m., Wednesday, January 18 at Davis City (Iowa) Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with Hospice Care of Kansas and the Kansas Humane Society. Burial and Graveside Services, 3:00 P.M., Wednesday, January 18, at Davis City Cemetery, Davis City, IA