Pearl Diers

Funeral services for Pearl Diers of Annandale, MN, formerly of Hancock, MN will be held Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Morris, with Reverend Wayne Kopitzke officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Burial will be in Lake Emily Cemetery, rural Hancock.

Pearl Edith Diers, a world traveler, lover of tulips, devout churchgoer, rummage sale aficionado, and social butterfly, passed away at the age of 89 on the morning of Saturday, July 25, 2026.

The family requests that any gifts and memorials be sent to the Stevens County Historical Society in Pearl's name.

She is survived by her two daughters and two sons: Jill Holslin of Tijuana, Mexico; Joan Straw, of Wahkon, Minnesota; Dean Diers and wife Kim, of Isanti, Minnesota; and Carter Diers and wife Kobie of Annandale, Minnesota. Eight grandchildren: Christian Holslin and wife Samina Anwar, Peter Holslin and partner Angelina Del Balzo, Lyle Straw, Robyn Straw, Aaron Diers and wife Tracy, Andrew Diers, Benjamin Diers, and Madeline Diers. And three great-grandchildren, Nathan, Gabriel and Anne Diers. She is preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Diers; mother, Marie Fedder Boonstra; grandmother, Mary Fedder; uncle, Herman Fedder and several cousins.

Born on a farm next to the Chippewa River in Walden Township, Pope County, Minnesota, Pearl was the beloved grand-daughter of Dutch immigrants, who had emigrated to the United States in 1901 from a village in Holland’s Gelderland province. Pearl grew up in Hancock, in a little house on Pearl Avenue and 5th Street, and she was raised by her mother, Marie Fedder, her grandmother, and her dear uncle Herman Fedder, who was the center of her world throughout her childhood.

Pearl graduated from Hancock High School in 1955 and spent much of her career at the Steven’s Community Medical Center in the business office. After marrying Leroy Diers, the family moved to Chokio and then to Morris in 1966, where they built a house north of Morris on Hwy 59. Always civic-minded, Pearl was active in politics, working with the League of Women Voters, conducting fieldwork for the 1970 U.S. Census, and serving as a delegate in the Republican National Convention in 1972.

Pearl later relocated to an apartment on Columbia Avenue on the south side of Morris, where she grew flower beds in her manicured backyard and maintained an ornate collection of Hummel figurines, collectible spoons from around the world, and other memorabilia she acquired on her travels. Always the adventurer, her favorite activity was traveling and organizing trips with her friends across the United States and Europe.

No matter where you went with Pearl, you were bound to make a new friend. She was an avid member of her circle at Faith Lutheran Church and an active participant in the Pomme de Terre Garden Club — always out and about, visiting friends, swapping stories, showing up for community events.

When her grandkids visited, she would treat them to breakfasts at Don’s Cafe and regale them late into the night with her wicked wit and encyclopedic local knowledge. She saved photos of everyone she knew, and in recent years a framed digital photo book showed off her friends and family to anyone who stopped by.

Pearl loved her hometown of Hancock more than any other place. She was especially fond of the town’s famous Fourth of July celebrations. So, of course, she was there for the patriotic festivities just a few weeks before her passing. Joined by her family, she caught up with friends, attended a potluck for the Christian Reformed Church, her childhood church, where she visited with the descendants of old friends and neighbors. At dusk, Pearl watched the fireworks for one last time; a beautiful ending to this joyful day and a life defined by servant leadership, community, adventure, and connection. She will remain forever in our hearts.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris, MN are in care of the arrangements for Pearl.