Pearl E. Safranski's Obituary
Pearl E. Safranski was born on October 20, 1908 in Warrenton, Minnesota to Ara & Lurena Myers Brown.
She died at a Portland hospital on February 10, 2009 at the age of 100.
Pearl was the second of five children, siblings were older sister Loretta, younger sisters Ethel and Leona and younger brother Elias. Pearl was the last surviving child.
After graduation from Warrenton High School in Minnesota, Pearl enrolled in a nine month teacher training program to qualify as a teacher in rural Minnesota schools. She taught in three different schools over a period of four years. The schools were located in or near Argyle, New Folden and Stephen.
While in Stephen, Minnesota she met her future husband, Bernard Safranski, who was working as a truck driver. Pearl and Bernard were married on August 22, 1932 in Minnesota and moved shortly thereafter to Oregon.
In Oregon, Bernard joined the Teamsters Union and drove trucks for the West Oregon Lumber Company. The couple raised two daughters, Dwan Lorene Safranski and Leona Louise Mary Safranski.
In 1945 Pearl and Bernard purchased the Burlington Store and moved into the spacious apartment above it. They operated this community grocery store for many years. After Bernard died in 1978 it was time for Pearl to retire and sell the store.
Pearl was so active after leaving the store that she could hardly be called retired. She had a long interest in ceramics and her treasured creations have adorned the homes of her family and friends. She was a tireless volunteer who lent her time to the Good Samaritan Food Bank in North Portland and the Scappoose Senior Center as well as to the Peninsula Church of the Nazarene.
She had an outgoing, optimistic personality. She will be long remembered for her energy, good humor and generosity.
Pearl is survived by her two daughters, four grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.
Celebration of Life: Monday, February, 16, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Columbia Funeral Home
Reception to follow at the St. Helens Elks Lodge.
Private interment: Fairview Cemetery-Scappoose, OR.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Holbrook Bible Church Building Fund 351 NE 73rd Portland, OR. 97213
on-line condolences may be made to the family at www.columbiafh.com
Columbia Funeral Home-Directors
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