Pearl Mae McIalwain , 94, Minot, died on Thursday, June 22, 2017 in a Minot healthcare center.

Pearl was born on December 28, 1922 in Lakota, Iowa to Albert and Anna (Roelfsema) Hans. Due to her mother's early death, Pearl was raised by her father and her mother's sister, Zena (Roelfsema) Hans. She moved with her parents to Willmar, Minnesota where she attended District 63 rural school.

Pearl married Wayne McIalwain on January 1942. They made their home in Willmar where she was employed in food service at Rice Memorial Hospital, and in a nursing home as an aide. Also she was a private duty home aide for a time. In 1968 they moved to Minot, North Dakota where Wayne worked at the Burlington Northern stockyard and Pearl worked as a civil service employee at John Moses Regional Hospital for 20 years until her retirement in 1994. Pearl and Wayne eventually divorced.

Pearl was a member of the Presbyterian Church and TOPS Club. She enjoyed reading, gardening, collecting various knick-knacks, her lunch dates with the girls from the hospital and spending time with her family. She especially enjoyed taking care of the birds in her yard by feeding them and even making sure they had warm water in the winter.

Pearl's loving family includes her children: Sharon Cunningham of Minot, Michael McIalwain of Minot, Patty (Doug) Powell of Cheyenne, WY, Phyllis (Micky) O'Brien of Minot, ND, and Carol (Ron) Thomson of Wichita, KS; 6 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson; siblings: Margaret Blokzyl of Raymond, MN; brother-in-law: Charles Shuck of Sundberg, MN and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Pearl was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Lucille Sweeter, Alice Quale and Mavis Shuck; and brothers: Edwin Hans and Alvin Hans.

Celebration of the Life of Pearl McIalwain: Friday, June 30, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in Cornerstone Presbyterian Church - Minot.
Interment: Monday, July 3, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in Cloverleaf Memorial Park, Willmar, MN.
Visitation: Thursday from Noon until 3:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Cornerstone Presbyterian Church - Minot.