Obituary of Pearl Moeller Bourguingnon Shelton

Pearl Moeller Bourguignon Shelton, 95, passed away on Friday June 2nd, 2017 at Life Care Center of Post Falls, Idaho. 

Pearl was born on September 11th, 1921 on the family farm in Clark County, South Dakota to Elive Robert and Anna Florence (Aebli) Larsen.  Born 8 in the family of 16 children.

Pearl grew up in South Dakota and completed the 8th grade at Bates school in 1935.

Pearl met her future husband, Edwin Moeller who was on furlough from the Army at a dance in Zell, South Dakota. Pearl moved to Tucson, Arizona where Edwin was stationed and they were married at the Marana Air Base in Tucson on September 28, 1943. They moved to Redfield, South Dakota after Edwin was discharged from the Army and lived on a farm until they moved to Idaho.

They raised two children, a son Ralph James and Daughter Ruth Marion.

Edwin passed away on March 14th, 1970.  They were married 26 years.

Pearl moved to Spokane, Washington, where she met and married Nick Bourgiugnon in 1973.  Nick passed away 11 months later on February 1st, 1974.

Five years later Pearl took a trip to the Holy Lands and met her third husband Ernest Shelton from Odessa, Texas.  Pearl moved to Odessa and they married on May 10th, 1979.  Pearl helped Ernest in his Shelton Music Business.  They were married 23 years.  Ernest passed away on July 15th, 2002.

Pearl moved back to Idaho where she has resided for many years.

Pearl liked to play cards, games, bingo, dance and go to garage sales.  Pearl loved to travel and always had a good outlook on life.  She dressed in the latest fashions and especially loved to wear her jewelry.

We will always remember, at some Larsen family reunions she would perform   

 her Minnie Pearl routine and she also performed this at some retirement homes.  Pearl attended 62 Larsen reunions.

Pearl is survived by her granddaughter Tracey Wilson, her grandson’s Jeffery and Ralph James Moeller. Also, 6 great-grandchildren and two sisters Birdine Schilter, Josephine Reid and one brother Raymond Larsen.  She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by both parents, her two children Ralph Moeller, Ruth Shook and her son-in-law Elwin Shook; Brothers Lenard, Arthur, Abe, William, Robert, Herman, and Duane Larsen: Sisters Katherine Larsen, Fern Wise, Ethyl Jones, Vera Stoltz, and Arlene Shaw.

A Rosary Service will be held Wednesday June 7, 2017 at 10:30 A.M. at Bell Tower Funeral Home 3398 E. Jenalan Ave. Post Falls, Idaho 83854 with Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 A.M.