A Service of Remembrance was held May 19 at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson for Virgil Pedersen, 92, of Dana.
Words of comfort were offered by the Rev Catherine Daharsh, pastor of Gilbert Lutheran Church in Gilbert. Music was shared by Robby and Angie Pedersen. Honorary bearers were Jim Rasmussen, Dale Rasmussen, Richard Rasmussen, Max Johnson, Wayne Juhl, Ivan Hillman, Dick Chance, Keith Conroy and Cecil Rueter.
Casket bearers were Jack Zimmerman, Troy Buchman, Robby Pedersen, Jeremiah Pedersen, Lee Pedersen, Angel Zimmer, Makala Semke and Chad Kinzebach. Interment was in the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery.
Virgil Laverne Pedersen was born November 18, 1922, to Danish immigrant parents Otto Reimer and Laura Jorgensen Pedersen on a farm south of Guthrie Center. He attended country school and enjoyed growing up on the farm. After schooling, he began working for Louie Petersen installing electricity in homes in and around Elk Horn and Kimballton.
He married the love of his life, Lillian Rasmussen, in Princeton, MO. Four children were born to this union – Mary, Ken, Jack, and Jan. After a farming accident took the life of his father in 1947, the family moved to the Dolan Farm near Dana where they lived for many years. After retirement he and Lillian moved to his current home in Dana.
Virgil had a passion for living life to the fullest extent – he enjoyed farming, electrical work, selling and installing stand-by generators, restoration of antique tractors, tractor rides, traveling, winters in Texas, two trips to Denmark, card games, dancing, coffee at the “University,” and reading the newspaper cover to cover everyday. He served on the Greene County Fair board and Dana city council for many years.
Virgil Pedersen passed away May 14, 2015, at the Greene County Medical Center. He was 92 years of age. Preceding him in death were his parents, sister Lucille Young, and wife Lillian.
Surviving are four children, Mary Buchman of Gilbert; Jan (Bill) Schmitt of Alleman; Ken (Linda ) Pedersen of Jefferson; Jack Pedersen of Dana; and sister, Shirley Conley of Denver, CO. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Angel Zimmer, Troy Buchman, Jack Zimmerman, Robby Pedersen, Jeremiah Pedersen, Lee Pedersen, Chad Kinzebach, and Makala Semke; eight great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; his companion, Alma Bice-Partlow of Perry; and extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Grand Junction fire and rescue or UnityPoint Hospice Care.
