The Life of WILLIAM GERHART PEDERSEN Jr.
William “Bill” Pedersen, Jr., 80, passed from this life into Heaven Saturday, March 19, 2011, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Des Moines. He was born April 20, 1930, to William, Sr., and Lucille (Wallace) Pedersen in Grinnell, Iowa.
Bill lived in Villisca and later attended North High School in Des Moines. He worked in the camera department at Younkers for over 20 years and retired from Ivy Photo. He enjoyed fishing, photography, gardening, and aviation.
Bill is survived by his wife of 37 years, Ann; children, Lea Anne (Ron) Falke, Sonja (Jon) Christofferson, Jon Pedersen and Michael Pedersen; 20 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; stepchildren, David Dawson and Paul Dawson; brother, Steve Pedersen; sister, Gloria (Jerry) Lang; as well as a host of other family and beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, William I. Pedersen; and stepson, Mark Dawson.
Family will greet visitors from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 22, 2011, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at Hope Lutheran Church, 3857 E. 42nd Street, Des Moines, with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Lutheran Church in loving memory of Bill.