Pearl L. Steffen was born September 5, 1923 on a farm south of Burke, South Dakota to August J. and Pearl L (Martin) Steffen and she passed away on December 29, 2012 at the TLC Assisted Living Center at the age of 89 years.

Pearl grew up on the farm, attending rural grade school and Burke High School, graduating in 1942. She then attended Southern State Teachers College in Springfield from 1942 - 1943. She also continued her schooling with summer courses until 1952, when she received her State Teaching Certificate. She taught in rural schools from 1943 until 1952, and at Bonesteel Public School in 1953. She continued her education at Black Hills State from 1953 - 1955, receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree. She taught grades 1 - 6 in Fargo, North Dakota while continuing her education during the summer terms and also with night classes.

In 1958 she began teaching overseas for the US Government, a career that lasted for 25 years. She taught in several countries that included Newfoundland, the Philippines, England, Germany, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Holland, Turkey, Korea and Japan. She enjoyed many trips and tours while she was teaching, returning home to visit relatives during the summer.

In February of 1983, Pearl was air evaced home with a collapsed lung. After many tests, it was determined that a tumor was present and a decision was made to remove the lung. She was offered a teaching assignment in Iceland by the government, but she decided to retire back to Burke.

Pearl was a very giving person, establishing scholarships at the Burke Public School, as education was very important to her and she loved her students and teaching. She was also very supportive of the community, donating to the Golf Course, the Burke Community Hospital, the Senior Center, the Rodeo Club and several churches.

Pearl was preceded in death by her parents, August and Pearl; her brothers: Walter, August, Jr. and John; her sisters: Blanche Diekmann, Hazel Bourn, Arlene Lake and Gladys Steffen; her nephew's: Jerry Witt, Ron Steffen, Don Diekmann and Steffen Lake. She is survived by several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 10:30 AM at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a 7 PM prayer service, at the funeral home.