Joanne Margaret Pearson

Joanne's funeral service can be viewed here. https://vimeo.com/846327484

Joanne Pearson was born in Shakopee, Minnesota, the daughter of Dr. Bror F. Pearson and his wife, Elizabeth. She passed away on July 13, 2023 in Fargo, ND following a brief illness.

Joanne led a full, interesting life. She graduated from Harvard-Radcliffe with a major in history. Following a year's study in Ireland she became a high school teacher in Spokane WA. She enjoyed teaching but was attracted to medicine, specifically child psychiatry. Joanne returned to Minnesota, graduating from the University of Minnesota Medical School. She chose Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City for her residency, and found her niche in consultation/liaison with the nephrology group; she was asked for advice on how to manage troubled patients and collaborated with those doctors in patient care. In 1976 she was hired by the Child Psychiatry Department of the University of Minnesota Medical School to build a consultation/liaison program with Pediatrics. Over the following 8 years she saw about 2000 children with life threatening illnesses and their families, and was a popular teacher of medical students and residents.

She next moved to Fargo ND to practice child psychiatry and made her home there for the rest of her life. In addition to her practice, the West Fargo Public Schools called on her special skills for decades. She was masterful in working with both parents and teachers in solving what were often longstanding problems, as reported by one of her longtime associates.

Joanne was a faithful, loyal supporter of her family and friends. She was the one you would turn to with a problem. She brought wisdom, time and attention to all appeals.

Joanne was bright and witty. She collected jokes and shared them freely. She was a trivia whiz and excelled when tested in her retirement community.

Joanne was a serious sports fan, even serving as hockey team doctor when she was at the University of Minnesota.

Joanne was a gifted teacher. In her teens she was a summer camp counselor, teaching riflery while making lifelong friends. Her subsequent professional life was dedicated to the welfare of young people, contributing her skills where needed.

Joanne was a musician. She started playing the piano when she was five. She switched to the trumpet in high school and continued to play it in college. About thirty years ago she switched again to Baroque recorders, both alto and soprano. She took lessons and played periodic recitals, recording them for her family and friends.

Joanne was unforgettable and beloved. She is survived by her sisters Mary Kenny and Dorothy Rempe, their children and grandchildren, and her beloved cat, Milly.

Memorial Service: 1:00pm, Thursday, July 20, 2023 at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND with a visitation one hour prior.

Burial: Lakeview Cemetery, Seattle, WA

Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home - Fargo, ND