Shortly after Pearl was born, the family moved to a farm closer to Hepler, KS. There she began school at a country school known as Green Valley. When she was in the 6th grade her family moved again, this time to a farm near Walnut, KS. Pearl attended grade school at Pleasant Dale school (known as Possum Trot) until 8th grade and then attended Walnut Public School where she graduated in 1951 as Salutatorian of her class.
Pearl was active in Hi-Wide 4-H Club serving in all offices. She was a member of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls serving as Worthy Advisor. While in 4-H she won numerous awards for sewing, cooking, and canning. Growing up, Pearl helped with many chores on the farm. Pearl loved to sing and play the piano, and also played the trumpet in the high school band.
Following graduation Pearl attended Central Business College in Kansas City. She worked at Little Blue Book in Girard, KS, and later at Kansas Ordnance Plant in Parson, KS where she attended night classes at Parsons Junior College. She married Robert Lee Wintjen (the love of her life) on May 2, 1954. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Denver, CO where he worked for the American Can Company and Pearl was a housewife. They later moved to Nevada, MO when Bob took a job with Farm & Home Savings and Loan. Pearl began working for the Nevada R-5 School District as a part-time cafeteria worker later becoming a fulltime employee working her way to manager. Pearl later worked for Western Insurance and American States in Fort Scott. Following retirement, she and Bob worked on their acreage and enjoyed traveling, having been to all 48 states. Together they remodeled two homes and did many other projects together.
Survivors include their three children, Tim Wintjen and his wife Debbie of Moundville, Christine Louise Wintjen of Nevada, and Daniel Wintjen and his wife Reynalda of Gardner, KS, three grandchildren, Corey Wintjen, Moundville, Brittany Haynes(Chris), Moundville and Matthew Wintjen, Gardner, KS, four great grandchildren, Chevy Wintjen, Moundville, Trinity Haynes and twins Brady and Corbin Haynes all of Moundville, her sister Florence French, Lexington, MO and one brother, Dwight Crapson, Walnut, KS. In addition to her husband Bob, she was preceded in death by her parents, and a great grandson, Chase LeRoy Wintjen. .
Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Nevada with Dr. Kevin Daugherty and Rev. Hubert Fox officiating. Interment will follow in Moore Cemetery, Nevada.
Friends may call now and until the hour of service at the funeral home.
Those who wish may contribute in her memory to the First Baptist Church in care of Ferry Funeral Home
