Pearl Eliason, 86, of Waterloo, Iowa, died at Allen Memorial Hospital on Monday, January 17, 2011, of pneumonia.

Pearl Lorraine Klipping was born December 24, 1924 in Forrest City, Iowa, daughter of Leonard and Edna Jacobson Klipping. She married Robert Eliason on November 14, 1942 in Bethany, Missouri; he died July 20, 1996.

Pearl is survived by her daughters: Jean Necker and her husband Loren of Sumner, Janet Eckenrod of Sumner, and Kathy Kalvig and her husband Rex of Ionia; son Gary and his wife Karen of Waterloo; 8 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; brother Marvin Klipping and his wife Reta of Britt; and sisters Mary Church of Forest City and Joanne Symes and her husband Melvin of Mason City.

Pearl is preceded in death by her parents, husband, six brothers and three sisters, and son-in-law Marvin Eckenrod.

Pearl was a devoted wife and mother who invested all her energies into her home and family. She enjoyed baking, sewing, and keeping up with the latest on her kids and grandkids. Just this past Christmas, she made some of her family’s favorites…peanut brittle, peach and apple pies, oyster dressing, bread, and cinnamon rolls. Recipients of her baked goodies often found some missing as she would sneakily “taste test” them before giving them away. Pearl spent many hours at the sewing machine making shirts, jackets, doll clothes, and dolls. She would anxiously wait for everyone to open their gifts so she could tell the story of how she had secretively been working on them for months without anyone knowing.

Pearl had many special memories of fishing, bowling, gardening with Bob and they took pride in caring for their lawn. She was very proud of her family and liked to share their accomplishments with others. She always looked forward to spending time with her children and grandchildren and she will greatly be missed.