With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Geraldine “Gerry” Pearson on October 7, 2026, in WaKeeney, Kansas. She was 94 years old.

Gerry was born on May 27, 1932, to Lloyd and Mabel Talbot in Rushville, Nebraska. The fifth of ten children, she grew up on the family farm and graduated from Rushville High School in 1949. Following graduation, Gerry pursued her dream of becoming a cosmetologist by attending beauty school in Santa Monica, California, while living with her oldest sister, Arlene.

In 1952, Gerry married Robert Wood, and they made their home in Denver, Colorado, where she opened her first beauty salon in their home. Together, they had three children: Glenda, Bob, and Bret. Gerry later married Robert Pool and welcomed three more children into her family: Terry, Sheri, and Randy.

The family moved to Phillipsburg, Kansas, in 1962. There, Gerry opened Gerry’s Beauty Shop and worked long hours to support her family. She loved being a hairstylist, and over the years, many of her customers became dear friends. Gerry enjoyed a long career as a salon owner and stylist and continued working well into her seventies.

Gerry was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother who cherished her family above all else. She treasured time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and found great joy in bringing everyone together. A wonderful cook, Gerry loved hosting holiday meals and creating special memories around the table. She was also a talented seamstress who enjoyed sewing clothes for her family, especially the girls.

Gerry was active in the VFW Auxiliary and the Presbyterian Church. She loved dancing to country music and had a special fondness for driving, taking her children and grandchildren on many memorable road trips over the years.

Following an illness in 2023, Gerry moved to the Logan Assisted Living. In July 2026, she moved to the WaKeeney Assisted Living to be closer to her daughter, Glenda.

Gerry was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Pool; her parents, Lloyd and Mabel Talbot; her son, Terry Pool; daughter-in-law, Regina Wood; son-in-law, Howard Stubbendieck; her brothers, Donald Talbot, James Talbot, and David Talbot; her sisters, Karen Talbot, Arlene Siders, Phyllis Janssen, Doris Lehman, and Patricia Speer.

She is survived by her sister, Lorna Lee Kelly; her children, Glenda (Mickie) McElroy of WaKeeney, Kansas, Bob (Gina) Wood of Phillipsburg, Kansas, Bret (Tami) Wood of Salina, Kansas, Sheri (Howard) Stubbendieck of Louisville, Nebraska, and Randy Pool of Lewisburg, Tennessee. She is survived by her grandchildren; Kendra Elliott, Brandon Elliott, Ashley Ryser, Tim McElroy, Jeff McElroy, Justin McElroy, Taitum Wood, Eric Wood, Curtis Wood, Kalvin Wood, Zach Wood, Gina Moore, Randy Van Allen, Myles Wood, Kelsey O’Hara, Matt Stubbendieck, Ryan Stubbendieck, April Burton, Jeff Pool, Jason Pool, Darya Veach, Afshon Pool, Megan Schrader, Aaron Pool, and many precious great grandchildren.

Gerry will be remembered for her loving heart, her devotion to family, the friendships she treasured, her many talents, and the countless special memories she created throughout her life. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg, Kansas, with Harlan and Darlene Nonhof officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gerry Pearson Memorial Fund.