Earl S. Pirius

Earl Steen Pirius was born July 9, 1917 in Minneapolis to Albert and Louise (Steen) Pirius. He attended grade school at Washington School in Red Wing, rural school in Hay Creek and also Red Wing Central High School. He enlisted in the US Army in May of 1942, was stationed in France and Belgium during World War II, and served until he was honorably discharged in December of 1945. On July 8, 1950, he married Florence Christine Bergren at First Lutheran Church. He worked at Red Wing Potteries for about 33 years and enjoyed the pottery work and his fellow workers. For 35 years he worked at Central Research Lab. He had the highest respect for his co-workers and for the three men who brought the firm to Red Wing. He retired in 1988. He was a member of First Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council, ushered and assisted with communion. Earl also played in the Red Wing softball league, coached Little League baseball and was involved in the church slow-pitch softball league as a pitcher for First Lutheran. He loved his family, fishing, duck, pheasant, squirrel and raccoon hunting, skating, bowling, baseball, football and especially golf. Earl died Sunday, April 12, 2009 at the age of 91 years, 9 months and 3 days.

He is survived by his wife, Florence of Wanamingo; seven nephews, Kenneth and Donald Pirius, Richard, John, William, Robert and Thomas Bergren; five nieces, Virginia Rother, Joan Lamoreaux, Margaret Schwartz, Sharon Bergren and Marilyn Davidson, along with many great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, several cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Kevin and Richard Pirius; a brother, William Pirius, and an infant sister, Grace Pirius.