Ronald Lee Pearson

Ronald Lee “Papa” Pearson, age 59 of Hartington, Nebraska died on Friday, October 30, 2020 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD due to complications from Covid-19. Funeral services will be on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hartington, Nebraska with the Rev. Amanda Talley officiating.  Burial will be on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 2:00 pm in Salem, South Dakota.  Visitation will be on Wednesday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington and will continue on Thursday one hour prior to services at church.  You may watch a livestream of the funeral at www.facebook.com/WintzRay/live/   Face masks and social distancing are required for the visitation and funeral.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington. Pallbearers will be Bryan Pearson, Jason Morgan, Chad Morgan, Derek Johnson, Thad Johnson, Brady Johnson, Tyler Kathol, Devante Shaw, and Richie Lugo. Honorary Pallbearer will be Benjamin Graff. Ronald Lee was born on July 9, 1961 to Everett and Sylvia (Hammer) Pearson in Sioux Falls, SD.  He grew up on a farm near Salem, SD with his parents and four siblings.  He attended school in Salem, SD and graduated in 1979.  After his graduation he attended Mitchell Technical Institute in Mitchell, SD earning a telecommunications degree.  Ron married Lynn Graphenteen on May 2, 1981 and moved to Hartington, NE to begin working at the Hartington Telephone Company on July 1, 1981.  He and Lynn had two children, Melissa born in 1984 and Cory in 1987. Ron was active with his church (Trinity Lutheran) and church council, Hartington Public School Board, Hartington Park Board, his kid’s activities and happenings, Cedar County Theater Productions, and Special Olympics.  He also took a mission trip to Mississippi after hurricane Katrina.  Ron always like to be involved in and helping out with anything.  He was often the “go to” guy for many things for his family and community.  He also liked to spend his time hunting and golfing.  In 2011 he met his best buddy, Ben Graff and remained active with him and his activities.  This is how he earned his proud title of Papa.  Papa and Ben’s love was very special for each of them. Ron is survived by his daughter and spouse Melissa (Donald) Shaw of Sioux Falls, SD; son Cory Pearson of Hartington; Melissa and Cory’s mother Lynn (Mark) Onnen of Manson, IA; one sister Marilyn (Randy) Morgan of Letcher, SD; two sisters-in-law Lecia (Steve) Stagner of Lead, SD, Laura (Talis) Johnson of Sioux Falls, SD; best friend Ben Graff of Sioux Falls, SD; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; brother-in-law Dale Painter of Baltic, SD; and his dogs Chili and Trigger aka Beagle. Ron was preceded in death by his parents Everett and Sylvia Pearson; parents-in-law Leslie and Linda Graphenteen; siblings Nancy Painter, James Pearson, and sister Valerie (Pearson) Lange and brother-in-law David Lange.