Steve Pearson

Steve Pearson

Dec. 17, 1950 - Oct. 8, 2022

ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Steve Pearson, “Farmer,” age 71, passed away suddenly on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. He went exactly the way he wanted to… driving on his land, with his dogs. Having lived almost his entire life in Arapahoe, it was rare to find someone who didn’t know who Steve Pearson was. Steve was born on Dec. 17, 1950, in Oxford, Neb., and graduated from Arapahoe High School in 1969.

He then attended Central Community College in Hastings for automotive repair and began working at John Deere. The summer of 1972, Steve married the love of his life and girl of his dreams, Linda Hines. Steve then went on to become an avid entrepreneur and owned many small businesses. His main career paths included S & L Oil Company, Elk Creek Backhoe, Trenching and Trucking, and finally, County Commissioner.

Steve was an outdoors man through and through and could always be found in his side-by-side or doing some sort of project on his ground. He was a strong advocate for land and wildlife conservation and was extremely passionate about hunting and fishing. Steve was also involved in groups such as Pheasants Forever and Issac Walton League. Steve loved going to gun shows/auctions and had vast collection of such. Steve was a “die hard, bleed red” Husker fan on Saturdays and a big part of “Raider Nation” on Sundays. Nothing could ever compare to the love that Steve had for his dogs, especially Jack Russell terriers.

Steve was preceded in death by his wife, Linda; parents, Roma and Gordan Pearson; and infant sister, Rhonda Pearson.

Surviving family members include brother, Monte Pearson and wife, Vicki; sister, Deb Pearson; daughter, Kasey and Mike Bibler; daughter, Emily Pearson; granddaughters, Alexandria and Morgan Curran and Isabella and Sarah Breinig; great-granddaughters, Jersie, Charlie, and Payzlie Curran and numerous other family members, including his faithful companions Ruby and Stubby, all of which he loved and cherished very much.

Steve was the epitome of “if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day but if you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” Throughout his life with family, friends, and even strangers, Steve was constantly offering to spread his wisdom to help the most he could. Even after losing his beloved wife, Steve always made it top priority to attend each and every one of his daughters and granddaughters’ events. Steve had an impeccable memory for his family members birthdays; without a doubt, you were waking up to the entire “Happy Birthday” song being sung to you, bright-eyed and bushy tailed. If you were lucky enough to spend any given amount of time with Steve, you were inevitably blessed with a special nickname that would stick for life. Steve was the best all girl dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, and brother ever. He was a man that lived well, laughed often, and loved so much. Steve’s presence on earth will be missed deeply but his legacy and memory will live forever in our hearts.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, from 5-7 p.m., at Garey Funeral Home, 652 Main St. Arapahoe. Funeral service will be Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022 at 10:30 a.m., at United Methodist Church of Arapahoe, with Pastors Joel Rathbun and George Probasco, officiating. Livestream video will be available at “FUMC Arapahoe” Facebook page. Interment will follow at Arapahoe Cemetery, Arapahoe.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Isaac Walton League. Garey Funeral Home of Arapahoe is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences or personal reflections may be left at gareyfuneralhome.com