Pearl Theresse Stepp

Pearl Theresse (Riveland) Stepp, at the age of 104, died peacefully on the morning of September 23rd in her home in Mesquite, Texas, surrounded by her daughters Rebecca and Rachel Stepp. Pearl was born the daughter of Amund and Rachel Riveland on September 17th, 1920 in Buxton, ND and raised on a farm amongst a tight knit community of Norwegian immigrants. Among her high school graduating class of nine people, she was named valedictorian. Pearl became a Christian when she was 17 years old and dedicated her life to the Lord’s service. She went on after high school to attend nurses training at Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Pearl served her country in World War II as an Ensign Registered Nurse in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946. While stationed in Riverside, CA and attending a local church community group, she met the love of her life, John Stepp, Jr., who was also serving in the Navy as a corpsman/chaplain. When the war was over, John and Pearl married in Riverside, California on December 11, 1945. Her husband was a Baptist preacher and his mission work took her and their three children to São Paulo, Brazil for several years in the 60’s. In Brazil, Pearl and John welcomed their fourth child.

After their mission work was completed in 1965, the family moved to Mesquite, TX where Pearl managed the house, took care of the children, and led Women’s Mission Union (WMU) and Girls in Action (GA) while her husband served as the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Mesquite. Later in life, Pearl worked as a school nurse for the Mesquite ISD. She also taught English as a second language to adult learners at Casa View Baptist Church. As an active member of Oates Drive Baptist Church, she loved participating in the Samaritan Purse project every Christmas.

Pearl loved the Lord and dedicated her life in service to others. Her favorite scripture was Psalm 100: 1-2 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Pearl is preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, brother Arvin Riveland, sister Alpha Symonds, son David Eric Stepp, daughter, Kathryn (Stepp) Tinius, and grandson Christopher Eric Stepp. She is survived by her daughters, Rebecca Jo and Rachel Elizabeth Stepp, daughter-in-law Gail Stepp, son-in-law Don Tinius, grandchildren Emily Nelson, Austin Tinius, Adam Tinius, and great grandchildren Javier, Angela, and Lizett Nelson, Charlotte and Claire Tinius, and Mara Tinius. Pearl will be interred alongside her husband at Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas.

A graveside service for Pearl will be held Friday, September 27, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Hillcrest Mausoleum & Memorial Park, 7405 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, Texas 75225.