Mrs. Pearl Louise Chesley

Pearl went to her heavenly home on September 14, 2023, at the age of 95. She was born on May 25,1928, at home on the farm northeast of York, Nebraska. She was the middle child of Abel and Lydia (Rabe) Heiden.

Pearl graduated from York High School in 1946 as Valedictorian of her class of 87 students. Following her high school graduation, she then graduated from the National Business Institute in Lincoln, Nebraska. She then worked for the Teachers Insurance Company owned by Ernst and Arnott Folson, located at 1409 O Street in the Nebraska Central Building. It was during this time Arnott Folsom traveled all over the United States getting ideas for a Children's Zoo in the late 1940' and early 1950's. Later then Mr. Folsom was the founder of the Folsom Children's Zoo. (Later name changes to Lincoln Children's Zoo.)

Pearl was united in marriage to John Chesley on July 1, 1951, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. Pearl was a member of Calvary's Lutheran Womens Missionary League.

She is survived by her sons: Steven (Amy) Chesley; Ray (Janet) Chesley; step grandsons: Rob and Shane Freeman all of Lincoln; sister-in-law Shirley Heiden; brother-in-law Henry Pankoke.

Preceded in death by parents, husband John Chesley in 2011, brother Art Heiden in 2012 and sister Myrtle in 2017.

A memorial service for Pearl will be held Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 10:00 AM at Calvary Lutheran Church, 2788 Franklin Street, Lincoln, NE 68502.

Pearl will be laid to rest in Lincoln Memorial Funeral Cemetery and Park, 6700 S 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68512, at 1:30 pm on Thursday, September 21, 2023. Family and friends will meet at Gate #2 prior to the graveside service. lincolnfh.com.