Pearl Bistram

Pearl Belle Bistram, age 97, passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at Burnett Medical Center’s Continuing Care Center.

Pearl was born on May 9, 1926 in Presho, South Dakota to Pete and Ruth Nelson. The Nelson family moved to Grantsburg, Wisconsin during the Great Depression. She married Joe Bistram in November 1943 and lived in the Pacific Northwest while Joe served in the military. After Joe’s honorable discharge from the service, they returned to Wisconsin to start a family and had 3 children, Dennis, Lanny and Dee Anne. They also provided care to foster son Bob Metoxen.

“Mom” loved to spend time with family and friends and travel. She spent vacation time in Canada, and also travelled to Florida, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, New York and once Mississippi and even set foot in Nogales, Mexico during a trip to Arizona. Pearl loved to crochet, play piano and garden. She was employed at Grantsburg Elementary School for more than 20 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband Joe in 1972; her parents, Pete and Ruth and all of her siblings Violet Olson, Laurel Nelson, Arthur (Bud) Nelson, Hazel Van Reese, sister Laura Nelson and grandson William Joseph (Billy Joe) Bistram, sisters-in-law Irene Nelson and Betty Nelson, and brother-in-law Gerald Van Reese.

She is survived by her children Dennis Bistram and Lanny Bistram of Frederic, Wisconsin, daughter Dee Anne McIntyre of Osceola, Wisconsin, foster son Bob (Susan) Metoxen of Hopkins, Minnesota, grandchildren; Jamie (Kathy) Bistram, Jan (David) Sanford, Jacki Bistram, Carry (Eddie) Hipp, David (Michelle) Bistram, Britney Bistram, Travis (Aimee) McIntyre, Sean (Angie) McIntyre, foster grandchildren; Sarah (Sam) Caston, Andy Metoxen, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and many friends.

Special thanks to the professional staff at Continuing Care Center of Grantsburg for their kind help and assistance over the past several months. A heartfelt thank you to St. Croix Hospice for their kind words, care and compassion given during this difficult time.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Grace Baptist Church in Grantsburg at 11:00 AM (visitation 10-11 AM). Pastor’s Ken Mandley and Dan Shadis will lead the service. Immediately following the service there will be a luncheon served at T-Dawgs Bar & Grill (Crex Convention Center room) in Grantsburg. Pearl will be laid to rest in a private family service at Riverside Cemetery in Grantsburg at a later date.

Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.swedberg-taylor.com.