Pearl Hoel, widely known as the “First Lady of Sturgis” has died, aged 99.
Pearl figures large in Sturgis folklore; she cooked dinner for all 150 attendees of the first Sturgis motorcycle rally in 1938. Right up to her death, she continued to be a high-profile supporter of the rally.
Her husband, Clarence "Pappy" Hoel was an Indian Motorcycle dealer who started a motorcycle race outside Sturgis in 1938 as a way to generate interest in Indian Motorcycles and the sport of motorcycling.
Pearl, who personally didn't like riding motorcycles, supported his early efforts and continued her support of the event after his death in 1989.
In a tribute posted Monday on the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Web site, the following tribute was paid:
"When I first met Pearl, she seemed fragile, small of stature, soft spoken, smiling and in her late 80s. My opinion was soon modified. The more time I spent with this amazing woman, the more I learned of her strength, tenacity and sense of purpose.”
"Even at 99 years young, Pearl was the best source of information on the Rally. Because she was there from the beginning, and because this event was her passion, her gift of recall and her ability to share oral history was constantly in demand, and she revelled in each opportunity."
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