Marciel Pratt Pearson

Marciel Pratt Pearson, 87, known to many as “Ciel”, of Gooding, Idaho, died September 1, 2023, of natural causes.  Ciel was born January 24, 1936, in Preston, Idaho, to Idaho and Milton Pratt, joining her sister, Maureen.  She grew up in several places in southern Idaho, eventually graduating high school as valedictorian from Kuna High School, having been very active in sports and as an accomplished horsewoman with her family.

In 1954, she married Oscar “Bud” Pearson of Melba. They lived in Jacksonville, Florida, where Bud was stationed as a navy aircraft-carrier pilot. Later they moved to the family farm in Melba, and then to Boise, as Bud missed flying. In the early 60s, they went on an adventure to live in Pakistan with their two small children, Mike and Diane, where Bud ferried personnel and mail on a Kaiser Construction canal-building project 150 miles from Lahore. They lived in a fenced compound, with average temperatures in the 90s and above for most of the year.  His pilot colleague was the nephew of the first president of Pakistan, and there were many international employees on the project, so the whole family was exposed to a lot of different cultures and interesting experiences.

In 1965, flying once again led to a move to Gooding, Idaho, and Sun Valley Airlines. Here Marciel honed her house-renovation, quilting, antiquing (hours of stripping, sanding, gluing and refinishing) and stained-glass skills.  The 1917 home they renovated, furnished, and filled with interesting and beautiful things has been a wonder to her family and to many visitors over the years, and remained her home for the rest of her life.  

While they were still “raising kids,” she also began working part-time at Skinners’ Sewing Shop in Twin Falls, where she always tried to help any customer with a project and also sometimes taught classes.

Over the years, she contributed to the Gooding community, working in the thrift store, hospital auxiliary, and donating her creations to local fundraisers.

Later, in semi-retirement, they bought and renovated a small cabin near Idaho City and spent many years enjoying the scenery and the wildlife during summer visits.

Marciel was preceded in death by her husband, Bud; parents; sister, Maureen (Roy) Logan; and brother, Rendell (Genie) Pratt.  She is survived by her children, Mike and Sherry Pearson; and Diane aka Diana Pearson; grandsons, Mark (Alexis) Pearson and their two children; and Ross (Alissa) Pearson; sister-in-law, Genie Pratt; nieces and nephews and their families; plus many “unofficial” family members who know who they are.

Marciel was an avid reader, especially of history, and greatly enjoyed the Gooding Public Library, to which we invite memorial contributions, should you wish, mailed to 306 5th Ave. W., Gooding, Idaho, 83330.  

At Ciel’s request, there will be no service, and her cremains will be scattered in a beautiful mountainous place. 

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Ciel's memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.