Pearl was born January 22, 1938, in Wishek, North Dakota to Eferham and Caroline (Gunsch) Messner. The family moved to their homestead in Dore, North Dakota where Pearl grew up farming with her family and fishing with her Dad. She attended school in Dore, and finished at Fairview High School. On June 8, 1957 she married Walter Reichenbach and the couple began their life together; their dream was to one day own their own place. Walter and Pearl worked on several farms from 1958 to 1969, Bauman, Foster, LaLonde, and the Fulton place. Three children were born to the couple. Finally, they found their own place in Sidney, MT. and in 1968, Walter and Pearl purchased the Hardy farm.
Pearl farmed alongside her husband while raising three children. She also busied herself raising chickens and selling eggs to the local grocery store, selling fresh milk and cream to friends and family, and gardening. Pearl was a master seamstress. In her “spare time” she loved to sew identical dresses for her twin girls. It was common for her to start sewing projects in the evening and the girls would have new outfits by morning. Pearl enjoyed cooking and baking. Food was love in her kitchen, and there was always plenty of both in her home. Mom had a kind heart towards all God's creations, people and furry friends alike; many cats and dogs found a happy home with her whether it be in the barn, a converted chicken coop, or under her own roof.
Pearl and Walt retired from farming in 2002. Retirement brought much joy for Pearl. She enjoyed more time with her grown children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Pearl joined an exercise group at the hospital where she met her lifelong friends that continued to enjoy each other every morning at the hospital coffee shop long after the exercising stopped. She volunteered at the hospital gift shop, worked as a Hospice Caregiver, and became active in her church. Pearl was a fiercely faithful blood donor stopping only when her health interfered with giving.
Over the past five years Pearl’s home was with her daughter Cyndi in Sidney with Walter never far from her side. They shared each other’s company at meals, visits with friends and family, listening to golden oldies, watching the Hallmark channel; and her favorite, long rides with Walter visiting familiar places in the valley. Pearl joined her Heavenly Father on November 6, 2018 at home with her husband at her side.
Pearl is survived by her husband Walter Reichenbach, son Jim Reichenbach, Sidney, daughters Sandy Harding, Bozeman, and Cyndi Reichenbach, Sidney/Helena, seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister and two brothers.