Obituary of Patricia Jean Pearman

Patricia Jean Pearman, 68, of Fredenberg, Minn., died on Aug. 2, 2015. Patricia was born Oct. 25, 1946, in Duluth to Lloyd and Marjorie Skafte. She graduated from Duluth East High School in 1964 after active participation in choir, debate and other clubs. She continued her education at UMD, receiving a B.A. in Speech Pathology. Patricia enjoyed a very successful career team-teaching as a Speech Pathologist for children with special needs in St. Paul. After completing her M.A. in Education at Hamline University, graduating in 1995, she was immediately appointed adjunct professor in the School of Education. Continuing her teaching career into first and fifth grade, she continued developing materials and techniques to advance each child to their fullest potential. Her efforts were recognized by a teacher-of-the-year award that funded a year of research at the Blissymbolics (Spelling is correct) Institute in Toronto, Canada. Pat was an accomplished musician, wood carver and water colorist. She loved: travel, nature, bird watching and was an accomplished chicken rancher. She had a great sense of humor: loved both to laugh and tell a good story. Patricia was an active member of Waters of Life Lutheran Church and proud of her Norwegian heritage: rosemaling, preparing lefse and krumkakae. She served as Advisory Committee Secretary for the Eddy Foundation. Her retirement years were devoted to support for her mother, husband, two dogs and a cat. Pat was preceded in death by her step daughter, Michelene Handwerk. She will be greatly missed by her husband of 38 years, Noel Pearman; mother Marjorie Skafte;sister Merilee (Jim) Main of Portland, Ore.; brothers Linwood (Mary) Skafte, Robert (Suzanne) Skafte; step-sons Severyn (Amanda) Pearman and Geoffrey (Dawn) Pearman; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; many cousins, nieces, nephews and numerous friends, relatives far and wide: Norway, England and Poland. The family thanks the doctors and staff at St. Luke's, Essentia and Lake Superior Community Health Center for their care. A special thank you to Dr. Thomas Silvestrini for managing recovery from the series of concussions. GATHERING OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS: 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, in Waters of Life Lutheran Church, 6221 Rice Lake Road, Duluth, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11 a.m. Lunch to follow immediately in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Miller-Dwan Foundation in Patricia's memory for support of concussion research at www.mdfoundation.org. The family welcomes any photos or stories you may have to share. Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Ave., 218-624-5200.