Pearl Grace Wicks

Pearl Grace Wicks passed away peacefully in Chester, Montana on June 22, 2024, at the age of 98. She was a beloved mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who leaves a legacy of strength, care, and kindness.

 Funeral service will be held Monday, July 8, at 3:00 pm at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. All are invited to a reception at the church following the burial in Chester Cemetery.

 Pearl was born to Carrie Holmquist Jabes & Emil John Jabes on November 19, 1925, in Black Coulee, south of Joplin, Montana. She was the youngest of four daughters (Violet, Evelyn and Margaret) and two sons Woodrow and Willie. Like many families making their livelihoods in the often harsh yet beautiful climate of Montana’s Hi-Line, Pearl’s family faced many challenges early in her life. One brother, Woodrow, died as a baby. Her father and brother Willie died of pneumonia in 1930, leaving behind the four daughters and their mother to run the farm on their own.

 Each daughter grew to excel at different aspects of running the farm. Early on Pearl, like her mother and sisters, was known to be a hard worker who wasn’t afraid to take on any task — even that traditionally allotted to men. Besides helping keep the homestead running, milking the cows, churning the butter, and putting things by, she had an artist’s eye and a keen intelligence. She learned to sew, quilt, and embroider from her mother (she would later gift one-of-a-kind baby blankets to her grandchildren and embroider many kitchen towels and pillowcases).

 A bright and determined child, Pearl became interested in reading and poetry. She attended Chester Public Schools, earned a degree from Northern Montana College, and worked as a teacher until she married.

 Pearl met the love of her life, Victor Walter Wicks, at a dance, and after a two-year courtship they were married on Dec. 30, 1950, in Havre. She felt that the handsomest and kindest young man around asked for her hand. Theirs was a uniquely successful and loving partnership. They made their home on the Wicks farm north of Inverness for three years, then purchased the Jabes place near Chester. Walt and Pearl built their home in Chester and moved to town in 1958. They expanded their business in 1961 when they bought a farm near Eastend, Saskatchewan, that they operated with the help of their sons. Walt and Pearl officially retired from farming in 2000 but continued to help their sons farm in the years that followed. Pearl cooked harvest dinners, babysat, helped with emergencies, and filled in as she always had until she left her home to enter a care facility.

 Pearl was very social, often thinking of the wellbeing of others. If she went to another town, the first thing she’d do would be to look up family and friends; on the flip side, when Pearl said, “If you’re coming through town, stop by,” she really meant it! She was a good friend, keeping up deep connections throughout her life. Pearl and Walt traveled internationally as well as regionally, never forgetting to visit old friends and family along the way.

 She and Walt together shared a passion for gardening and every summer raised plentiful and delicious produce, much of which became pickles, sauces, and jams which she spent many hours canning. Her yellow roses were robust and memorably fragrant. Dancing was another activity she and Walt enjoyed from the time they met. They loved square dancing as well as ballroom dancing (fox-trot, waltz, polka), and as empty nesters frequently traveled with friends to out of town events.

 She showed her care for others in many ways, such as baking bread made with whole-grain flour home-milled from their wheat farm. She would often share these loaves with neighbors and those who were grieving. Through her actions, Pearl exemplified her belief in the Golden Rule. She served in the women’s Circle and other activities at her church, supported her children in 4-H, and participated in many community events.

 When playing cribbage, whist, or pinochle, or rooting for a family member at a game, Pearl could be fiercely competitive. During the last year of Walt’s life, Pearl and Walt played cribbage almost every night, keeping tally. Pearl ended up winning the series — after an impressive comeback!

 She wrote short stories about her family’s experiences during the Depression, featuring her mother as a determined homesteader who never gave up. She journalled steadily throughout her life and kept up the art of letter writing. A master cook, her cabbage burgers, snails, and many cookies were legendary, particularly her waffle cookies. Pearl enjoyed a lighthearted competition with her dear sisters around whose pie or fried chicken was better. Her Huckleberry Delight was the best!

 Family was always Pearl’s priority. As the family grew, she welcomed each new member with joy. She modeled practical ethics, hard work, and care for others to her four children, who then shared what they learned to raise their own families.

 Pearl sorely missed her son Russ (2006) and husband Walt (2007) but remained in energetic, good health until 2016 when her progressive dementia required her to enter a care facility. She made the best of it and played bingo and worked on puzzles with others, especially enjoying a chat or getting her hair fixed. She loved visits from her many family members and always asked them to stay for lunch — often when her favorite shrimp was on the menu! 

 Pearl passed away June 22, on the birthday of Celeste, her first grandchild. Celeste wrote, “As the eldest grandchild, I’m honored to share my birthday with Grandma’s peaceful passing. It is bittersweet but feels special as do the memories we shared. I find peace knowing she is greeted by Grandpa and my Dad (Russ). I also find comfort that my cousin Matt is continuing the tradition of memories by raising his family in the house Grandma and Grandpa shared.”

 Pearl was preceded in death by her parents, her dear husband of 57 years, Victor Walter (Walt) Wicks; her sisters Violet, Evelyn, and Margaret; and her eldest son, Russel Wicks. She is survived by one daughter, Karen Haughey (John) of Billings; two sons, Dale Wicks (Teresa) of Billings and David Wicks of Chester; one daughter-in-law, Maureen Wicks of Chester/Bozeman; 11 grandchildren (Celeste, Kali, John, Sarah, David, Kathleen, Amy, Paul, Patrick, Matthew, and Kari); 12 great grandchildren (Ingrid, Leighton, Lane, Hadley, Benjamin, Ana Karen, Rhett, Temple, Wylder, Maddie, Aili, Ivy, and more on the way), and many nephews and nieces.

 Memorial donations may be made in Pearl’s memory to the Liberty County Library, Bethel Lutheran Quilters, Our Savior’s Lutheran Quilters, and Wheat Country activities fund, or a charity of the donor’s choice.