Mary Margaret Maertens-Pearson
1941 - 2007—Bella Vista, Ark.

The following is from the Lawrence Journal World:

Funeral services for Mary Margaret Maertens-Pearson, 66, Bella Vista, Ark., formerly of Lawrence, Aug. 21, 2007, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial was at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mrs. Maertens-Pearson died Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007, while visiting Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany.

She was born July 17, 1941, in Kansas City, Kan., the daughter of Bill and Lena Maertens.

Mrs. Maertens-Pearson graduated from Lawrence High School in 1959 and was an active member of PEO and three-time state champion in dramatic readings.

She married Monte Pearson on Feb. 15, 1958, in Lawrence. He survives, of the home.

Other survivors include her son, Robert, and wife Deborah; four grandchildren, Tiffani Miller, Brandon Kettler, Christina Kettler and Kevin Pearson; and a great-grandchild, Aria Kettler.

A memorial service will be later in Bella Vista, Ark.

The family suggests memorials to the First United Methodist Church in Lawrence, sent in care of the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, Kan. 66045.

Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.

Additional information from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette:

Mary Margaret Maertens-Pearson, Bella Vista, Ark., formerly of Lawrence, Kan., devoted wife and loving mother, joined her Heavenly Father on Aug. 16, 2007. Mary was visiting Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany, with her husband of 49 years, Lawrence Monte Pearson, doing what she loved most when she met her untimely death.

Mary, the daughter of Bill and Lena Maertens, was born July 17, 1941, in Kansas City, Kan. Mary graduated from Lawrence High School in 1959 and was an active member of the PEO and three-time state champion in dramatic readings.

High school sweethearts, Monte and Mary were married Feb. 15, 1958, in Lawrence, Kan. Mary is survived by her son and daughterin-law, Robert M. and Deborah L. Pearson; her grandchildren, Tiffani L. Miller and husband Chris Miller, Brandon L. Kettler and wife Karissa Kettler, Christina M. Kettler, Kevin D. Pearson; and one great-grandchild, Aria M. Kettler.