Funeral services for Denise M. Pearson, 65, of Chamberlain, SD will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 10, 2024 at the United Church of Christ in Chamberlain.  Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Friday at the United Church of Christ in Chamberlain, SD.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.

View Folder Here

Denise Marie Pearson was born to Francis and Dora (Rice) Mundt on November 24, 1958. She was baptized at Pleasant Valley Church near Kidder, SD. Denise grew up on a farm northeast of Kidder, SD and attended Havana school for Kindergarten. She then attended Kidder School through the Third grade until her family moved to Britton, where she continued until she graduated in 1977. Throughout high school, she played band and was a candy striper at the local care center.

Denise attended Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. She graduated in December of 1981 with BS double major in elementary education and special education.

On July 9th, 1983, Denise was united in marriage to Stuart Feser in Britton, SD.  Together they were blessed with two daughters, Laura and Lacey.  After being united in marriage, they moved to Pasadena Texas, where she taught preschool, for a short time before moving back to South Dakota, where she began her lifelong career of teaching special education at Crow Creek Tribal School in Fort Thompson for 36 years. She took her love for education and teaching to Lower Brule Tribal School in 2019, where she continued to teach until her health forced her to retire in Jan of 2024. She gave her all to those she served. Many times, she was Acting Principal and any time there was a need, if she could fulfill it, she certainly did. She gave selflessly not only in her career, but in all aspects of life.  She was always on the lookout for ways to help and provide in any way she was able. She was full of life and had deep respect and love for the Native Culture.

She later married Clint Pearson on December 31, 1996, in whom she remained devoted to until her death. Clint brought with him two daughters, Candace and Mandy. Together they shared these four daughters. Clint and Denise, with Laura and Lacey, moved to Cedardale Ranch that summer, and for the next 29 years continued to operate the ranch while teaching full time. Together, with the help of the kids, they raised cattle and sheep.

She was a long time member of the United Church of Christ in Chamberlain, SD, where she also taught His teachings to her two daughters. Her faith was important in her daily life, and equally important in teaching her daughters God's word.

Denise spent her spare time writing poetry and painting in her younger years. She enjoyed completing jigsaw puzzles and had a love for reading. Denise spent many summer days shore fishing with family, and friends that she considered family. Spending time with her 13 grandchildren was one of her greatest pride and joys. She enjoyed simplicity and taught her kids, grandkids, and students her ways.

April of 2023, she was diagnosed with lung cancer, in which the doctor gave her a max of 8 months. She surpassed that, with 7 more months of living her life to the fullest. In the beginning appointments, her children had asked her what one thing on her bucket list was that she wanted to accomplish, in which she responded an Alaskan Shoreline Cruise, and she was able to enjoy that with some of her family the following month.

Denise passed away on August 2, 2024 at Ava's House in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 65 years.  She is survived by her loving husband, Clint, older brothers- James Mundt, of Britton, SD, and Doug (Vicki) Mundt, of Aberdeen, SD, and her older sister Deanna Steckman (late Morris Steckman) of Denver, CO; her two daughters Laura Powers, of Wessington, SD and Lacey (Andrew) Rohrbach, of Bowdle, SD, step daughters Candace (Jeremy) Dingmann of Royalton, MN and Amanda (Will) Mahnke of Chamberlain, SD; grandchildren Rodney and Wade Powers; Mathew Mcloud, Justin, Alyssa, Brooklyn, Morgan, and Hadley Rohrbach, Summer (Colton) Odash, Gabby and Waylon Dingmann; William and Mason Mahnke, mother-in-law Marilyn Woodraska of Oacoma, SD, two sisters-in-law Deanna Garland and Maribeth Hohn, and three brothers-in-law Duane Pearson, Heath Woodraska, and Tony Woodraska.

She is preceded in death by her parents Francis and Dora (Rice) Mundt.