Pearl Farm

The Jerry Pearl Era

Uncle Jerry Pearl in his younger days!

In Uncle Frank’s later years, he moved to town, and Uncle Jerry bought the Pearl Farm in 1960.  He and Aunt Hildegard raised their family of eight daughters (and one son who died shortly after birth). They farmed, raised hogs, and owned and operated a trucking company from the Pearl Farm. 

(Side note…Uncle Jerry also ended up running the family ranch, “The Doyle Place”, started by his maternal grandfather, my great great grandfather James Doyle, outside of St. Marys to the northwest, and raised cattle up until his late 80s.  That property is still in our family to this day, and one of Uncle Jerry’s daughters lives on the property, and one of his grandsons and his wife are raising their family in the old family farmhouse, also fifth generation property owners.) 

Seven of the eight daughters were born between 1960 and 1967, and the eighth was born in 1976. 

Uncle Jerry & Aunt Hildegard and their String of Pearls at Aunt Hildegard’s 80th birthday party in October 2014

I could write a book on the lives and legacy of Uncle Jerry and Aunt Hildegard. But I’ll stick to the basics, at least for now! 

My earliest memories of Uncle Jerry and Aunt Hildegard were thinking “EIGHT KIDS?? EIGHT GIRLS? ONE BATHROOM??” I also remember that Grandma remembered each of her nieces’ and nephews’ birthdays, anniversaries, and their children’s birthdays. She tried to be present for all of the milestones.  When we stopped by the farm, usually to pick up Grandma’s latest Amway order from Aunt Hildegard, and to stop and chat, Aunt Hildegard was always busy, but what really sticks out to me is that when we’d walk in the door, she’d immediately stop what she was doing and give us hugs.  She did that until I was 30 years old (the year we lost her).   I remember Grandma saying, “call Hildegard and ask her such and such…2919”, the 2919 being the last four digits of their phone number. I would promptly do what I was told, and Aunt Hildegard would chuckle when I’d say “Grandma wants to know such and such”. Aunt Hildegard’s chuckle was no doubt due to her thinking about why Grandma wouldn’t call herself! So many good (and funny!) memories.

Uncle Jerry and Aunt Hildegard before they moved from town to the farm.

In later years, specifically my late twenties, and the last 3 years of Grandma’s life, I remember Aunt Hildegard and Uncle Jerry being my support system – being there for me during the hard times, Aunt Hildegard encouraging me and cheering me on in my career, and always being a listening ear.  If I stopped at the farm on my way back to Kansas City, I knew it could be a several hour stop (we had a lot to catch up on!), so sometimes I’d call Aunt Hildegard on my drive.  Uncle Jerry would say, “Amy’s back in Kansas City??!! You talked THE WHOLE DRIVE??!!” Haha.  

I am pictured here with Uncle Jerry and Aunt Hildegard at one of the Citizen Band Potwatomi pow wows. This was at least 10-12 years ago.

I hope to share a lot more about Uncle Jerry and Aunt Hildegard and their family in the future, as they were and still are the heart and soul of this property.  Every decision that I’ve made so far regarding demo, cleanup, yard maintenance, and even the early stages of the design of the house is driven by how I can best honor my great uncle and aunt and show appreciation to their eight daughters, The String of Pearls, for giving me the opportunity to purchase the property and a piece of their parents’ legacy. 

Uncle Jerry and Aunt Hildegard, late 70s or early 80s

Gerald Thomas Pearl:  May 14, 1932-June 11, 2020

Hildegard Josepha Taphorn Pearl: October 18, 1934-November 23, 2014