Dianne Margaret Pearson October 2, 1960 – September 5, 2025

Dianne Margaret Pearson, 64, passed away in Minneapolis on September 5th from complications from her cancer treatments.  She was born to Arthur and Marilyn (Metzger) Gapp in Langdon, ND. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Walhalla and graduated from Walhalla High School in 1978. After high school, she attended Aakers Business College in Grand Forks.

In 1999, she married Wade Pearson in East Grand Forks, MN, and they renewed their vows the next year in the Catholic Church. Wade and Dianne's lifetime adventure was when they traveled overseas and adopted their beloved children Christian, Lyola and Karley from Alatyr, Russia, in 2001. They settled in rural Buxton, ND, where they were members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Reynolds, ND. Dianne enjoyed being active in her parish, serving on the church circle and volunteering at many parish events.

Throughout her life, Dianne was known for her warm personality and gift with people. She had a natural talent for waiting tables—remembering her customers' favorite orders and keeping them laughing. She operated a daycare before joining the team at Home of Economy, where she met Wade, the love of her life.  A year before her death, they sold the business and retired with many plans.

Dianne's greatest joy was being a mother. She shared her love of horses with her children, especially Lyola and Karley, teaching them to ride and train. She cherished trail rides with family and friends and beamed with pride at Lyola's horse show accomplishments. Dianne and Wade also shared a deep love for dogs, especially golden retrievers and golden doodles.  Wade and Dianne rarely missed a Sioux hockey game.

The couple enjoyed traveling together, often to Laughlin and Las Vegas, NV, and to Hilton Head Island, SC, where they had recently purchased a home. During cold, winter months, her happy place was walking the beach at HHI. Summers were spent at their lake home near Cass Lake, MN, floating on tubes, riding the pontoon to Pike Hole Bar & Grill, and watching beautiful sunsets.

Above all, Dianne will be remembered for her infectious laugh, playful sense of humor, and the way she made everyone around her feel valued and seen. She had a gift for brightening any room she entered and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Dianne is survived by her husband, Wade Pearson; children Christian, Lyola, and Karley; mother, Marilyn Gapp; brothers Wayne (Roxanne), Glenn (Julie), and Lyle (Kim) Gapp; sisters Connie Gapp, Colleen (Ralph) Manley, Marlys Johansen, and Janelle (Randy) Rust; as well as many nieces, nephews, and their families.  She is also survived by many in Wade's large family.

She was preceded in death by her father, Arthur Gapp, fathers-in-law Garry Pearson and Robert Eelkema, brother-in-law, Rienk Eelkema, her grandparents and many aunts and uncles.

VISITATION: 5:00-6:30 PM on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 421 Sanborn St., Reynolds, ND 58275 with ROSARY at 6:30 PM and VIGIL SERVICE with sharing of memories at 7:00 PM.

FUNERAL MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: 11:00AM, Friday, September 12, 2025 with another visitation from 10:00-11:00 AM also at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with lunch to follow. Services will be live-streamed on Diannne's page at www.dandahlfuneralhome.com.

INTERMENT: Will follow at 3:00 PM at Memorial Park Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.

MEMORIALS: The family requests that memorials be directed to Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue, 10733 36th Ave. NE, St. John, ND 58369.