Elwood “Pete” Pederson

Obituary

Elwood “Pete” Harold Pederson was born on February 16, 1919, in Vienna, South Dakota. He was the son of Carl and Hermina “Minnie” (Thies) Pederson. Pete was baptized as an infant on March 19, 1919, and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on May 1, 1933. He received his education in Dell Rapids, South Dakota, and was a 1937 graduate of the Dell Rapids High School. After his military service, Pete went on to further his education at the South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City, South Dakota, and was a 1950 graduate with a chemical engineering degree and a 1951 graduate with a physics degree.

Pete served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He entered active military service on December 31, 1942, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. During his service he was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Individual Citation, the Good Conduct Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. Pete received his Honorable Discharge from active military service on September 22, 1945.

Pete was united in marriage to Arlette Kenner on November 17, 1950, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rapid City, South Dakota. After their marriage, the couple made their home in Grand Island and Sidney, Nebraska. Pete and Arlette lived in Sidney until moving to Wadena, Minnesota, in 1969, and eventually to their lake home on Dead Lake, Ottertail County, Minnesota, in 1978. In May of 2000, the couple moved to Gaylord, Minnesota. Pete and Arlette were blessed with three children. Pete and Arlette shared 50 years of marriage, before Arlette passed away on December 27, 2000.

Pete was employed by Amoco Oil Company as a commercial sales engineer. He would travel throughout Minnesota and sold oils, greases and chemicals to various companies. Pete retired in February of 1979 after 25 years of employment.

Pete was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord, Minnesota. He has been a member of the Grand Lodge of the Masons of Nebraska for more than 60 years, a longtime member of the Elks Club, a life member of the VFW, and a member of the Manthey-Asmus American Legion Post #433 in Gaylord.

In his younger years, Pete enjoyed pheasant hunting. He loved all kinds of fishing, and spent many weeks fishing in Michigan for Lake Trout and Salmon. Pete enjoyed vegetable gardening, playing cards of all kinds, and cribbage. When he entered the nursing home Pete enjoyed coloring in adult coloring books. His pictures were on display at the home.

In 2000, he moved into Oak Terrace Senior Apartments and in 2016 he moved into Oak Terrace Health Care Center and passed away there on Thursday, October 4, 2018, at the age of 99 years. Blessed be his memory.

Pete is survived by his:
Children,       Lynette Joines and her husband, Michael of Canon City, CO,
                        Leslie Eisenbraun and her husband, Dennis of Gaylord, MN, and
                        Rody Pederson and his wife, Lauri of Milford, IA;
Grandchildren, Marcus Joines, Meghann Dameron and her husband, Daniel, Fay Eisenbraun, Amy Leske and her special friend, Eric Woodard, Anna Eisenbraun, Kaitlin Pederson and Derek Pederson and his wife, Leslie;
Great-Grandchildren, Jacob and Lucas Leske, Sebastian and Rosey Joines, Sarah Pederson and Hedy Dameron;
Sisters-In-Law, Elaine Everts of Hemet, CA, and Evelyn Pederson of Dell Rapids, SD;
Nieces, Nephews, many other relatives and friends.

Pete was preceded in death by his Parents, Carl Pederson and Hermina Schmeickel; Step-Father, Carl Schmeickel; Wife, Arlette Pederson; Brothers, Talmer Pederson and Harvey Pederson; Sisters-In-Law, Geraldine Mock and her husband, Joe, and Viora Jamieson; and Brother-In-Law, Wally Everts.