Cloudy, 28° F
(May 21, 1919 - May 19, 2016)
Pearl Cullen passed away peacefully on May 19, 2016. She was 96 years old and a resident of the Powell Care Center. She chose to stay in Powell to be near familiar places, friends and family. One of her favorite outings was driving towards Yellowstone Park to view the wildlife and to see the mountains and valleys she loved.
Pearl Charlotte Emma Helgeson was born on May 21, 1919, in Forsyth, Montana, daughter of Alfred and Emma (Nielsen) Helgeson. She was the second oldest of eight children.
Pearl graduated from high school in Forsyth where she met and married Eugene Wagner. After their divorce she moved to Powell to be near her sister, Irene O’Brien. She married Harry T. Cullen in 1951 and they homesteaded near Heart Mountain. Pearl worked outside the home most of her life. At age 65 she started her most rewarding job — providing the children of Powell teachers with daycare. This was flexible enough to encourage a beautiful garden of flowers and raspberries, time to travel and time to quilt. Pearl’s quilts grace the rooms of her children, grandchildren, friends and relatives. She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church and enjoyed taking cheese puffs for coffee hour as well as being part of the ladies quilting group.
Survivors include two daughters, Diane (Doug) Wells of Hayden, Idaho, Dorothy (Wayne) Snodgrass of Greenwood Village, Colorado and one son, Robert (Cheryl) Wagner of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, one son-in-law, Prince Stephenson of Old Town, Idaho; four granddaughters, Kim Snodgrass, Jennifer (Bill) Janssen, Terri (Jason) Haskins, Tammi DaSilva, four grandsons, Eddie Wagner, James Wagner, Ryan (Andrea) Wells and Jason (Heather) Wells; 17 great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Irene O’Brien and Rosetta (Robert) Marshall, one sister-in-law, Allene Helgeson and many nieces and nephews.
Pearl wanted to be remembered as a mother, grandmother, sister and friend. An amazing Powell family were related to Pearl not by birth or marriage but by love. Jeanne, Roy, Pam and Megan Darrow held a very special place in Pearl’s life.
Her husband Harry died in July 1964. She was also preceded in death by her eldest daughter, Shirley Stephenson, two sisters, three brothers and one granddaughter.
No services are planned at the present. A celebration of her life will be held in July. The family wishes to express deep appreciation to the staff of PVCC for the loving care given to Pearl in her last years.
Haskell Funeral Home in Lovell is in charge of all arrangements, and condolences can be sent to the family at www.haskellfuneralhome.com.
