Pearl Belle Bistram, 97, passed away Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, at Burnett Medical Center’s Continuing Care Center.
Pearl was born on May 9, 1926, in Presho, South Dakota, to Pete and Ruth Nelson. The Nelson family moved to Grantsburg, Wisconsin, during the Great Depression. She married Joe Bistram and lived in the Pacific Northwest while Joe served in the military. After Joe’s honorable discharge from the service, they returned to Wisconsin to start a family and had three children, Dennis, Lanny and Dee Anne. They also provided care to foster son Bob Metoxen.
“Mom” loved to spend time with family and friends and travel. She spent vacation time in Canada, and also traveled to Florida, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, New York and once Mississippi and even set foot in Nogales, Mexico, during a trip to Arizona. Pearl loved to crochet, play piano and garden. She was employed at Grantsburg Elementary School for more than 20 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, in 1972; her parents, Pete and Ruth; and all of her siblings, Violet Olson, Laurel Nelson, Arthur (Bud) Nelson, Hazel Van Reese and baby sister Laura Nelson; grandson, William Joseph (Billy Joe) Bistram; sisters-in-law, Irene Nelson and Betty Nelson; and brother-in-law, Gerald Van Reese.
She is survived by her sons, Dennis Bistram and Lanny Bistram of Frederic, Wisconsin; daughter, Dee Anne McIntyre of Osceola, Wisconsin; foster son, Bob (Susan) Metoxen of Hopkins, Minnesota; and grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and many friends.
Special thanks to the professional staff at Continuing Care Center of Grantsburg for their kind help and assistance over the past several months. A heartfelt thank-you to St. Croix Hospice for their kind words, care and compassion given during this difficult time.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, Feb. 17, at Grace Baptist Church in Grantsburg. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. and the funeral service at 11 am. Pastors Ken Mandley and Dan Shadis will lead the service. Immediately following the service there will be a luncheon served at T-Dawgs Bar and Grill (Crex Convention Center room) in Grantsburg. Pearl will be laid to rest in a private family service at Riverside Cemetery in Grantsburg at a later date.
Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg. Online condolences can be made at swedberg-taylor.com.
