Gary Robert Pearson

Gary Robert Pearson, age 81 of Yankton, SD passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday, April 1, 2026t at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be 10:30 am, Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, SD with Rev. Spenser Keroff officiating. Visitations will be 5 to 7 pm, Monday, April 6, 2026 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Onsite Crematory, Yankton, SD with a Scripture service at 7:00 pm. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent at: www.okfhc.com.

Gary was born on October 5th, 1944, to Clyde and Eleanor Pearson in Viborg, SD. He grew up at Pearson Corner working at Pearson Store pumping gas, fixing tires and working in the store. After that the family moved a half mile to the south to what was the family farm where he worked alongside his dad and brothers raising crops and animals.

He attended Lowell #36 country school through 8th grade then graduated from Viborg High School with perfect attendance.

After graduation he moved to Yankton, working at the Freeman Company, Human Services Center then becoming a newspaper distributor for many surrounding towns for the last 45 years, working up the very last day of his life.

He married the love of his life, Kay Hlavac on June 14th, 1969, at Our Redeemer Church in Irene, SD. To this union of 56 years, they were blessed with 3 children, Kristi Kay, Chad Allen, and Sara Ree.

They raised their family out on an acreage West of Yankton, where they made many lasting memories. Their family expanded to include 8 Grandchildren, 4 Great Grandchildren and 2 baby boys on the way this Summer. Gary was a family man thru and thru and enjoyed watching his Great Grandchildren.

Gary was a great man of Faith sharing it with his family and friends. He had just finished the book of Revelations and was currently studying the book of Matthew focusing on the Lord Jesus Christ, his crucifixion and resurrection. He spent years filming the Church service at Trinity Lutheran Church here in town so others could hear God's word. He also videotaped weddings for different family members.

At the age of 4, he was inflicted with polio, spent weeks in an Iron Lung, had major spinal surgery, healed in a full body cast and underwent painful therapies and against all odds, he overcame the disease and went on to live a very fruitful life. His sister, Janet, age 7, also having polio, did not survive and it's beautiful to know he is now reunited with her in Heaven.

He very much enjoyed spending time with Kay on their coffee/cookie dates in town and spending hours together on their newspaper motor route talking, listening to the K-Love station and enjoying the scenery, always sharing coffee and a banana. They drove hundreds of thousands of miles together, too many to count. There were countless good memories made by taking his children than his grandchildren on his routes throughout the years. There was plenty of laughter, jokes, stories and treats that will always be cherished.

He enjoyed watching the Minnesota Vikings and Twins, watching countless westerns including Gun Smoke, Bonanza and Rifle Man and never turning down a good Andy Griffith episode. He also enjoyed listening to Polka, having learned to play the accordion at a young age.

He was known for his love of sweets with cakes known to go missing. He loved baked beans so much that he ate them every single day of his life with Chad delivering him cases of beans at a time.

He took great pride in his lawn spending hours fertilizing and mowing perfect rows, not letting anyone mow the front lawn but himself. He enjoyed many cars through the years including his GTO Judge, Chevy Nova, Pontiac, Ford Mustang, Grand Cherokee Jeep and his many Volkswagens, owning 85 vehicles in his lifetime. He also took his family on many vacations including several National Parks and it was always a good time.

Our Dad and Grandpa was the Best you could ever ask for. He was our best friend showing compassion, love and guidance, always lending a listening ear to us and anyone he knew. He was a father figure to many people, taking countless calls from family and friends just wanting to chat and also a suicide hotline where he worked as a counselor helping many people. He always answered the phone with the same cheerful "hello". You could call him day or night and he would always answer, helping you with whatever you needed or just talking. He always made you feel special.

He used humor to make people cheerful. He could've written a book with all the jokes he's told over the years, telling the same jokes again, with it becoming more funnier every time. You never left his house without a smile.

We are truly grateful for the many years we've had with this great man. We are thankful he's at rest with the Lord and Savior. He will never be forgotten, and his spirit will live on in everyone he has touched.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Eleanor Pearson; Sister, Janet Pearson; Grandson, Gage Stiles; and Sister-in-law, Fran Pearson.

Grateful for having shared his life are: Wife, Kay Pearson, Yankton; Children, Kristi Hauger, Yankton; Chad (Kelly) Pearson, Sioux Falls; Sara Auch (Shawn Stiles), Yankton. Grandchildren: Jenna (Chris) Pinkelman, St. Helena, NE; Cole (Michaela Kronzail) Auch, Yankton; Dylan Ainsworth, Yankton; Cody (Destanie Stahlecker), Yankton; Haylee Pearson, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA; Garret Hauger, Yankton; Aiden Pearson, Sioux Falls, SD. Great Grandchildren: MacKenzie Pinkelman, Chloe Pinkelman, Adaleigh Auch and Colter Auch. Brothers: Jerry Pearson, Minneapolis, MN; Kenny (Marilyn) Pearson, Yankton, SD.