"Summer Jo and my daughter Augusta danced together for many years. I watched the girls grow up together. Images of the beautiful dance routines, the dressing room excitement and boredom, and the joy and disappointment of the competitions are memories I will cherish forever. My heart goes out to her children, her sisters, her parents, and all who will miss the joy she brought with her. "
In loving memory of
Summer Jo Pearson
June 24, 1986 - May 1, 2021
Summer Jo Pearson, beloved mother, daughter, sister and aunt, passed away peacefully in her sleep in May 2021. She was 34 years old. She was born in Hampton, Iowa, to the world's best parents, Maggie and Steve Pearson, on a warm day in June 1986. She joined sisters Steph, Megan and April, and the four became The Pearson Girls.
On her 21st birthday, Summer Jo received the best birthday gift ever, her son Owen. Her daughters Jojo and Brielle soon followed, and her heart was complete. Summer Jo was born to be a mom, and her children filled her with pride and joy. They were the loves of her life, and they always will be. Summer Jo's love for children extended to her adoring nieces and nephews who called her Auntie Fun. Her vivacity and creativity captured their hearts and never let go.
Summer Jo operated a thriving cosmetology business as well as a dance studio, where she brought out the inner beauty, confidence and kindness in all she met. Her generosity extended to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, La Luz and My Happy Place. She was actively involved in the Catholic church and West Fork schools. As an organ donor, she impacted the lives of up to 200 people.
Summer Jo battled with alcohol addiction for several years. She went to a dark place, but she emerged stronger, lifting others up with her. She worked hard to overcome this disease, and we're all so, so proud of her. She was well on the way to recovery when she passed away of natural causes.
Summer Jo joins her two miscarried children, Daphne and Dahlia, in Heaven. She is also predeceased by grandparents Alice and Walter Miller, and Mary and Carold Pearson.
She is survived by three amazing children Owen, Josephine and Brielle Schmidt, parents Maggie and Steve Pearson, sisters Stephanie (Charles) Pearson, Megan (Jeff) Rosenberg and April (Lincoln) Pearson-Decklever, and nieces and nephews Carter, Mickey, Sydney, Lily, Zoey, Stella and Gus.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 6, 2021, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Hampton, with burial in the Hampton Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at the Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary Service at 7. Please wear bright colors to represent the joy Summer Jo brought to your life. Those attending Summer's visitation and service are encouraged to wear a mask.
In lieu of flowers, Summer Jo's family requests donations for her children's college funds, which can be mailed to: Steve and Maggie Pearson, PO Box 61, Hampton, IA 50441.
Tributes
"Our family will continue to pray for Summer Jo & her sweet family. Just remember ,you are still the Pearson girls -Summer Jo just got a set of wings to adorn her wardrobe! God Bless you all . Mike & Dee Keninger family."
"Summer Jo, you will be greatly missed. I loved seeing your happy, crazy, wild posts about your love for your children and family. You were such a bright shining light to all those you came in contact with and my love an prayers go out to your entire family. I hope you're enjoying the music in heaven as you dance through the days of eternity. "
"Our sympathy to the entire Pearson family. Summer's light will shine forever in your hearts. "
"Oh Summer Jo how my heart is breaking for you and your family. I?ve only known you for a short time but your beauty and grace is something I?ll always remember. I pray for strength and healing for your entire family. Especially for your kids that you adored like no other. You will always be in my heart ?? "
"Summer, I will miss your smile, and personality. I remember where your desk was at in one of Mr. Walton?s classes. We had fun in that class. You were an awesome cheerleader! Losing a lot of football games wasn?t a whole lot of fun, but the cheerleaders, band, and all of the people who made Friday Nights Lights special was one of the reasons why I kept playing. RIP Sunmer. Prayers to her family and friends. "
"I am so sorry to hear of Summers passing. She was a breath of fresh air. Always had kind words, never a cross word from her mouth did I hear. She is gone, but she will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace my Young Friend"
"Hey cousins! Remember the NUMEROUS times we played dress up in Grams slips and old dance costumes. Those are some of my favorite memories of our times at Gram and Gramp?s house. Other favorite memories were getting to go to dance competitions and seeing that Ms. Nina was coming. I?d always get so amped up to tell everyone my cousins - April and Summer - would be there. I?d make my friends come watch their performances with me. My kids will always think of Summer as that crazy cousin who loved to dress as a mascot. We talk regularly about that one Easter when we went to Summer and Ryan?s house and the Easter bunny actually showed up. So cool. She was amazing!"
"I got the pleasure of getting to know Summer Jo threw her parents and when I did meet her she was the most caring loving person she didn?t forget my name and when she saw me always a hug Maggie and Steve raised a great family . My heart goes out too them and her family . Love you guys"
"My thoughts and prayers go out to the Pearson?s and all of Summer?s family and friends. Truly heartbreaking to hear of her passing. I know she will be greatly missed. Kaley (Jones) Coleman"
"To all of Summer?s family our hearts are broken. We send hugs,prayers and strength . Hold your precious memories close to your hearts &feel her love for you. Jim&Ding "
"Summer Jo was always a positive happy person. She lit up everyone that she encountered, so naturally when I met her I fell. She was funny, smart, generous, caring and beautiful. She always saw the best in everyone. She was an amazing person, wife and mother. She was my best friend and will be greatly missed. "
"Sending Prayers, Thoughts, and Hugs to Family! I am so very sorry! Summer Jo was. Wonderful , Light Hearted Person! I got to know her better a few weeks ago while working at her house! I will never forget her eating pot pies for breakfast! "
"Summer....I'm going to miss your smiling face but I know you will be looking out for all of down here until we meet again! My thoughts, prayers and hugs are with your family. RIP until we meet again my dear friend. Kristie Viet Meints "
""She will be with you when you greet eah day, and while the sun shines bright. She will be there to share the sunsets, too, because whe will be with you every night. She will be you when the times are good, to share a lugh or two. And if a tear should start to fall, she will still be there for you. And when that day arrives that you are no longer apart, She will smile and hold you close, forever in her heart!" Summer Jo was a one of the brightest stars we've ever met. She brought the most beautiful light in everyone's life who knew her. Our sincerest condolences to her family..... We pray that God will shine his PERFECT LIGHT of PEACE into all your lives. Rick and Julie Salvesen"
"Summer was the most beautiful, vivacious personality we have ever met! As a little girl she was always the brightest shining star. Her legacy will be the bright light she brought with her everywhere....and her children, her wonderful parents and the larger than life she led while walking among us. Our souls are completely saddened with the news of her passing....life for us will be less bright. In our prayers, we wish her family God's light of PEACE and send our most sincere condolences. Rick and Julie Salvesen"