Pearl A. Seale, 97, of Hutchinson passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson. Funeral Service was held Saturday, August 31, 2024, 10 a.m., at Hunter’s Ridge Community Church in Hutchinson with interment in Oakland Cemetery in Hutchinson.

Clergy Officiating: Reverend Chris Swarthout, Reverend Doug Swarthout; Pianist: Jessica Stritesky; Soloist: Lee Stritesky “He Touched Me”; Congregational Hymns: “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”, “Just A Closer Walk With Thee”; Casket Bearers: Reverend Chris Swarthout, Reverend Andrea Swarthout, Alison Feldman, Tom Kennedy, Sam Watts, Ben Stritesky, Sarah Gunderson, Dale Redetzke Pearl Seale loved family, community, country, kolaches, polka music, dancing, sweets…and she loved God. And for the majority of her 97 years of life on this earth, she was blessed with good health and enjoyed her life to the fullest.

Pearl Ann (Stritesky) Seale was born on her family’s farm in Hutchinson Township on July 15, 1927, to Louis and Agnes (Totushek) Stritesky. She was baptized and confirmed at Silver Lake Congregational Church (now Grace Bible Church) in Silver Lake. Pearl received her 1st-8th grade education at Bear Lake School, District 47 in McLeod County. She attended Hutchinson High School grades 9-12 and graduated from HHS in 1945. Pearl kept in touch with her classmates through the years, organizing many of their class reunions.

Pearl married Ed Seale on May 3, 1947, at Silver Lake Congregational Church. They enjoyed 25 years of marriage before Ed passed away in November of 1971 from a heart attack. Pearl and Ed had no children.

Pearl worked at various stores in the Hutchinson area – Lowry’s SuperValu, Gilbert’s SuperValu, JCPenney, and Ostrom’s Hardware Store. In August of 1957, she began her long career as a secretary at Hutchinson High School and Middle School, working for Ralph Bergstrom and Bill Snyder. Because of the nature of her job, Pearl had the privilege to know many people in the Hutchinson community. She retired in June of 1987. Many classes invited Pearl to their class reunions and there were very few she didn’t attend. In her retirement years, she filled in at various schools and Ridgewater College when there was a need. She was also active in American Legion Post 96, Kiwanis, Hutchinson Safety Council, and Eastern Star organizations.

Helping each summer at McLeod County Fair was a highlight for her. She also found great joy in playing organ for church services at a number of churches in Hutchinson, Litchfield, and Stewart, and also played at area nursing homes when needed. The years she lived at Prince of Peace apartments, she loved the weekly Bible studies there. Music and people brought her the most joy in life and that’s where she invested her time in her retirement years.

Pearl was chosen as Woman of the Year for Hutchinson in 1996. That was an honor that truly humbled and pleased her. There was also a lovely article in the Hutchinson Leader highlighting the many activities she participated in as a retiree in the community. That article titled Pearl as “A Real Gem.” That she was. She was so proud of her Hutchinson community.

If there’s one thing Pearl loved, it was a good party with family and friends. A testament to that was when almost 500 people came to her 90th birthday party open house. She was overwhelmed with all who came to celebrate with her and it was a day she talked about for years to come.

The last few months of her life became a challenge physically for Pearl. She had lived the past three years at The Pines and enjoyed the good care and companionship she found there. She and another resident at The Pines started a weekly choir for the residents to come and enjoy singing, whether you could carry a tune or not. She spent her final days at Harmony River Living Center under their tender care after she became too weak to care for herself. Those left behind to mourn her loss are her nieces, Suzi (Doug) Swarthout and Annie (Tim) Watts, and nephew Lee (Jane) Stritesky. She also leaves behind three great-nieces, Andi Swarthout, Ali (Jon) Feldman, Sarah (Matt) Gunderson, and three great-nephews, Chris (Rachel) Swarthout, Sam (Britt) Watts and Ben (Jessica) Stritesky, as well as 17 great-great-nieces and – nephews, two great-great-great-nieces, and very special friends Tom and Lori Kennedy.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Seale; parents Louis and Agnes Stritesky; brother and sister-in-law Allen and Mary Stritesky; great-niece Elana Swarthout, and great-great-niece and -nephews Emmalee, Owen, Cooper and Oliver Feldman. There are a number of relatives on Ed’s side that also mourn her loss.

Pearl’s favorite Bible passage was from Ecclesiastes 3:1-15. A portion of that reads, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. There’s a time to be born and a time to die; a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” God bless the memory of Pearl Ann Stritesky Seale.

Memorials preferred to Common Cup, DAV, or Ronald McDonald House in Pearl’s memory. Arrangements by Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guestbook available at www.hantge.com.