Pearl Vath

Obituary

Pearl Schafer was born in Sherburn, MN, on January 15, 1918, the daughter of John and Dora (Finke) Schafer. She was baptized in Sherburn, and moved one year later to a farm south of Buffalo Lake. She graduated from the Buffalo Lake High School in 1936. Pearl spent three summers at Lake Koronis Bible Camp before going to New York to be a nanny for the 4-year-old daughter of Rev. Reidel. She came home two weeks later as it didn’t work out. She was in  4-H work.

Pearl married Wesley Vath in 1938. They made their home in Buffalo Lake where they raised four children: two sons, Eldon and Morris, and two daughters, Patricia “Pat” and Susan “Sue.” Pearl raised an acre of onions while Wesley was raising potatoes. She was a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church which later became the Zion United Methodist Church. Pearl worked 11 years at Hakes Grocery Store, and 11 years as custodian at the Zion United Methodist Church. Pearl and Wesley had shared 73 years of marriage when Wesley passed away in 2012.

Pearl was a seamstress in her early married years. She made wedding dresses and drapes for many, as well as her daughter Susan’s wedding dress. She also did leather working and made purses, belts, and wallets. Pearl continued to enjoy reading books and crocheting bibs for her grandchildren, as well as making quilts for the great- and great-great-grandchildren as they were born, until she entered Assisted Living, and eventually the Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center. While there, she loved to play Bingo, watch movies, and keep busy with whatever they had going on.  She had such a positive attitude.

On Thursday afternoon, March 17, 2016, Pearl passed away at the Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center, having reached the age of 98 years.  Blessed be her memory.

Pearl is survived by her:
Son, Morris Vath of Buffalo Lake, MN;
Daughters: Patricia “Pat” Gabel and her husband, Barrett, of Lafayette, CO, and 
                      Susan “Sue” Kelly and her husband, Chuck, of Willmar, MN;
Daughter-in-law, Louise Vath of New Ulm, MN;5 Grandchildren: Children of Eldon and Louise: Lisa (Kevin) Herbert, Landon Vath, and Lance (Jean) Vath; Children of Sue and Chuck: Andrea Kelly and Meagan (Nate) Green;
12 Great-Grandchildren: Children of Lisa Herbert: Jason (Beth) Wieland, Matthew (Stephanie) Wieland, and Krysta Wieland; Children of Landon Vath: Michael Vath, Rachel Vath, Heather Rose Vath, and Landon Vath Jr.; Children of Lance and Jean Vath: Christopher Vath and Justine Vath; Children of Meagan and Nate Green: Daniel Green, Asa Charles Wesley Green, Finnley Green, and Isaac Green;
3 Great-Great-Grandchildren: Children of Jason and Beth Wieland: Olivia Pearl and Emery Helen Wieland; Child of Matthew and Stephanie Wieland: Miriam Wieland;
Nieces, Nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Pearl was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband Wesley, eldest Son Eldon, and all her brothers and sisters.