Donald Eugene Pedersen

Donald Eugene, son of Wilford and Erma Annet (Turner) Pedersen was born January 19, 1929 at Elk Horn, Iowa. He attended high school in Harlan, graduating with the Class of 1946. On September 18, 1950, Don was united in marriage with Naomi Ruth Larson at Harlan. The next year, on April 6, 1951, Don enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War. He reached the rank of Corporal before his discharge in March 1953. Don and Naomi were the parents of two children and made their home in Coon Rapids. Don worked for Garst Company in Coon Rapids for six years. In 1964 he opened Don's DX in Coon Rapids where many of the children would gather after school and on weekends. He later owned T & D Standard, also in Coon Rapids. Don worked along with his wife for over 40 years until his retirement in 2007. However, in his retirement he felt most at home at the station and with the help of his family was able to spend much time there. Don was a member of Ascension Lutheran Church, Lions Club and the American Legion. He was a happy, positive person and in his spare time enjoyed working and spending time with his family. Don died suddenly and unexpectedly at his home on Sunday morning, January 31, 2010 at the age of 81 years and 12 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters and father-in-law Lawrence Larson. Don is survived by his wife Naomi Pedersen of Coon Rapids; daughter Terri and husband Doug Bock of Carroll; son Tim Pedersen and wife Mary Jo of Coon Rapids; seven grandchildren: Jason Bock and wife Kristi, Matthew Bock, Tyler Bock, Dawn and husband Wes Jones, Bobbie Jo Pedersen, Logan Pedersen and Collin Pedersen; four great-grandchildren: Jonathan and Janae Jones and Alexis and Avery Ouderkirk; brother Butch Pedersen and wife Irma of Harlan; sisters Judy Ahrenholtz of Harlan and Ruth Kres of Omaha, NE; mother-in-law Gladys Larson of Coon Rapids; sister-in-law Irene and husband Conrad Hoisington of Coon Rapids; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and good friends. Military Honors AMERICAN LEGION, GURNEY PARKER POST 357 Officiating JOHN KULT Recorded Music "THE OLD RUGGED CROSS" "I CAN ONLY IMAGINE" Honorary Bearers Grandchildren & Great-grandchildren JASON AND KRISTI BOCK MATTHEW BOCK TYLER BOCK DAWN AND WES JONES BOBBIE JO PEDERSEN LOGAN PEDERSEN COLLIN PEDERSEN JONATHAN JONES JANAE JONES ALEXIS OUDERKIRK AVERY LYNN BOCK Interment at a later date ORANGE TOWNSHIP CEMETERY, COON RAPIDS, IOWA