Aunt Pearl

 Mom and Pearl were farm girls from Lester, Iowa.  They were two years apart in age, so they were always together growing up.  Then they both married central Illinois men, so they were best friends after marriage also.  We spent a lot of time together with the Streitmatter family growing up.  Uncle Vernie was a car salesman and worked late most nights of the week.  Pearline and kids were at our supper table several nights a week.  We spent every Sunday afternoon/evening together that we didn't have other plans.  We traveled to Lester together for holidays and camped together in the summers.  Mom and Pearl did much of life together.  They shopped together, entertained together, put up green beans, sweet corn, and apple sauce together, and gave each other perms.  Pearl became like a second mom to me.  She could scold me, give advice, give encouragement, and give praise.  

After Vernie died at age 58, she spent more time with our family.  They were with us every big Christmas and every big family vacation.  She was a good cook, hostess, gardener, and always brought her homemade sweet breads to family gatherings.  The old farmer's wife started a tradition of having my parents and Aunt Pearl to our home at Christmas for their favorite oyster stew.  She often received compliments on her beautiful white hair.  She was a faithful Sister in Christ.  She and Vernie were founding members of our church in Washington.  She served lunch the first Sunday.

One of my favorite sayings of hers (she had many!) was regarding corporal punishment for adults who committed serious crimes.  She thought prison was too comfortable.  "They should tie them to a post on a busy street corner, and everyone who walks by should kick them."  Another was when we would complain about a pain or hardship, she would look at us and say, "you don't die that easy!"

She was having health issues including some abdominal pain, so they took her to Eureka hospital.  She was transferred to a Peoria hospital where many tests were done.  It was determined that she was terminal and should go on hospice.  The morning after she was admitted to the Eureka Home, I stopped in for a quick visit after a meeting I attended at the home.  She was sleeping, but opened her eyes when I spoke to her and she gave me a big smile and we chatted a bit.  The next time I visited she wasn't able to communicate very well.  One week after being taken to the hospital, she passed away peacefully. 

After being a widow for over forty years, we laid her to rest by her husband.  It was a nice service and her great nephews and grandsons sang at the cemetery.

Mom is now the lone survivor from a family of 14 children.  We are praying for her.

Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.                                                           Matthew 13:46