Pearl Alba Vest, 99, died Wednesday, January 14, 2015, at Green Hills Retirement Community in Ames, Iowa.

Pearl Vest was born May 17, 1915, in Parkston, South Dakota, to Clara Wahl Mogck and Henry Mogck. She grew up in South Dakota on a small ranch near Alpena with four brothers and a sister. She graduated from Dakota Wesleyan College in Mitchell, South Dakota, and taught elementary school for four years in Geddes, South Dakota.

On June 22, 1939, Pearl married Alan William Vest. They settled in Sac City, Iowa, where Pearl found joy in being a homemaker, raising two children, and participating in many community activities. She was an active member of the First Methodist Church in Sac City and belonged to several book clubs. She was a member of PEO for 64 years, first in Chapter BI in Sac City and then Chapter AA in Ames.

Pearl had many interests. She grew up loving music. She enjoyed playing the piano and organ and sang in choirs in college, county chorus and church. Other special interests included reading, cooking, exercise, and grand parenting. In 2003 Pearl created a cookbook filled with favorite recipes, family photos and stories.

In 2004, after 67 years in Sac City, Pearl and Alan moved to Ames to be closer to family. They appreciated being welcomed by new friends. Alan died in 2007. Pearl was also preceded in death by their son Kirby Vest and by her parents and five siblings. She is survived by her daughter Carolyn (Chuck) Jons of Ames, grandson Steve (Karilyn) Jons of Minneapolis, and four granddaughters: Susan (Richard) Owen of San Francisco, Sarah (Jim) Lodge of Kansas City, Kelly (Travis) Burton of Las Vegas, and Kari (John) Besancon of Las Vegas. Pearl’s nine great-grandchildren are William and Carolyn Jons, Alex Owen, Maddie and Ben Lodge, Taylor and Tabitha Burton, and Owen and Megan Besancon.

In 2014 Pearl chose a special legacy. She provided matching funds for donors who contribute to both the 2014-15 Annual Appeal and Endowment Fund for Raising Readers in Story County. “I’ve been blessed with loving families for 99 years, and reading has always been a passion of mine. I’d like to help every child grow up in a loving family and experience the joys of reading to learn and for pleasure. Raising Readers in Story County promotes both of these important causes and will continue long into the future as my heart and hands to nurture families and reading.”