David W. Pearson, 68,  of Dexter, Minnesota, died on Sunday, April  9,  2017, at his home, following a lengthy illness with COPD.

He was born on Sept. 25, 1948, in Flandreau, South Dakota. From the age of 12 he was parented by foster parents Howard and Darlene Quail in Sinai, South Dakota. He attended Arlington High School. David married Jacqueline K. Stroud on March 24, 1967, at the Church of the Nazarene in Madison, South Dakota. He served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1971, including  a tour of duty in Vietnam. Following his discharge the couple lived in Sinai until they moved to Iowa where David earned his journeyman’s state certification for plumbing and heating. In 1984, David was employed as a plumbing and heating technician with Tri-County Plumbing and Heating in Stewartville for 25 years until his health caused his early retirement. In 1985, the Pearsons moved to Dexter, where they raised their children and have continued to make their home.  Jacque is a homemaker and was employed at Woolworth’s Department Store in Rochester for 12 years. Since earning her master’s degree in psychology has been employed as a mental health care provider at Zumbro Valley Health Care Center in Rochester for the past 17 years.

David was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in rural Dexter, where he served on the church council as a trustee and as treasurer. He was a member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe. Dave was multi-talented and enjoyed working with his hands, remodeling the family home in Dexter, working in his shop and had begun restoring an old Allis Chalmers tractor. He had a lifelong love for fishing and made his own lures. David also enjoyed going to coffee with friends, following the Vikings, gardening and animals in general and particularly his dog-Nuk. He was known for his quick wit and his wonderful sense of humor. David loved time spent with family and  especially enjoyed his grandchildren.

David is survived by his wife, Jacque; two daughters and two sons, Michael of Phoenix, Arizona, Melissa Pearson of Dexter, Christopher of Byron, Minnesota, and Randie (Nick) Waltz of Austin, Minnesota; four grandchildren, Erin (John) Jepson, Devin Pearson, and Lillian and Benjamin Waltz; his sister,  Kim (Clark) Rogness of Astoria, South Dakota; and brother, Kevin (Laura) Quail of White, South Dakota. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Kathy McMillan; and brother, Teddy Theodorapolis.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 14, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church in rural Dexter with the Rev. Brad Novacek officiating. Burial will take place in the church cemetery with military graveside honors by the Grand Meadow American Legion Post 140.

A time of visitation will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday morning.

Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville, www.griffin-gray.com.