Pearl L. Wahl

Pearl Loretta Wahl, 90, Jamestown, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 29, 2008, after an exceptional life of 90 years and countless memories.

Pearl Bettenhausen was born October 28, 1917 in rural Wishek, ND, to Oliver and Pauline (Kramer) Bettenhausen. Her mother passed away when she was one year old and she was then taken care of by her grandparents, Jacob and Elizabeth Kramer. When her father remarried to Emma Kramer, her aunt, she was taken into their home to be cared for and loved. She was raised on the farm near Wishek. She graduated from Wishek High School and later taught in a rural Wishek school for two years.

She married Edmund Wahl on April 9, 1940, and they made their first home in Nisswa, Minnesota, where Edmund was employed. Two years later they returned to North Dakota, settling in Jamestown, where she happily supported her husband in his business and raised two children.

Pearl was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church. Her love of children and teaching drew her to teach Sunday School and Bible School for many years. She was proud to be a member of the Ladies Aid Circle for 38 years, serving as President, Secretary, and Treasurer, as well as the Education Chairman.

She loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother, and made that her ultimate accomplishment in life. She was famous for her special chocolate chip cookies!

Pearl is survived by her son and his wife, Al and Mary Wahl, Bismarck; her daughter and her husband, Greta and Dick Craven, Wenatchee, WA; and four grandchildren, Catherine Wahl, The Dalles, OR; James Wahl and his wife, Maria-Louisa, Boston, MA; Shane Craven and his wife, Arianne, Bellingham, WA and Justin Craven, Seattle, WA; six stepbrothers, Charles (Viola) Bettenhausen, Wishek, Warren (Ann) Bettenhausen, Fargo, Larry (Evelyn) Bettenhausen, Athens, TN, Oliver, Jr. (Virginia) Bettenhausen, Wishek, Neal (Nancy) Bettenhausen, San Diego, CA and Richard (Maxine) Bettenhausen, Rapid City, SD; and seven stepsisters, LaVera Ottmar, Ft. Dodge, IA, Mabel (Edward) Larson, Orlando, FL, Blanche Wetzel, Mandan, ND, Gladys (Leon) Zimmerman, Napoleon, Muriel (Marvin) Schilling, Bismarck, Shirley (Marvin) Kaseman, Linton and Ella (Kenneth) Burr, Birmingham, AL.

She was preceded in death by her her beloved husband, Edmund; her parents and stpemother; two stepbrothers, Howard and Edgar; and stepsister, Corrine Albright.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Pearl Wahl will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, April 4, 2008 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Jamestown, with Pastor Dennis Ellingsen officiating.

Arrangements are with the Eddy Funeral Home in Jamestown, ND.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Wall of Flame, St. John's Lutheran Church, 424 1st Ave South, Jamestown, ND 58401.

On line guestbook: www.eddyfuneralhome.com