Grace Mardesen

Visitation:

Tuesday, 12/12/2006, After 4 pm

Family present from 4 - 7 pm

Ohde Funeral Home, Kimballton

Funeral:

Wednesday, 12/13/2006, 10:30 am

Elk Horn Lutheran Church

     Mary Grace, daughter of Pete and Emma (Erickson) Pedersen, was born April 10, 1910, near Gates in Audubon County, Iowa. Grace lived on the farm with her family, attended Gates country school and then attended Atlantic High School, graduating with the Class of 1928.      After completing her education, Grace worked for Dr. Jones in Atlantic. On November 29, 1933, Grace was united in marriage with Vernon Mardesen at St Pauls Lutheran Church in Atlantic. Three children were born to this union.      While farming near Elk Horn and Brayton they were members of Oak Hill Lutheran Church west of Brayton where Grace was baptized and confirmed. In the late 1940s, Grace and Vernon settled on their farm west of Elk Horn and shortly thereafter joined the Elk Horn Lutheran Church. Grace taught Sunday School at both churches.      They retired from farming in 1974 and moved into their home in Elk Horn. Grace was a member of Jolly Homemakers Club and was active in her church. In her spare time, she enjoyed making jewelry out of buttons, embroidery, baking, and raising pansies. Reading inspirational poetry was also important to her.      After the death of her husband Vernon in 1994, Grace became a resident of Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn. She died there on Sunday, December 10, 2006, at the age of 96 years and 8 months.      Preceding her in death are her parents, husband, two sisters Vera Pedersen and Gladys Reich and two brothers Nels Pedersen and Lester Pedersen.      Grace is survived by her three children: Darrell Mardesen and wife Sue of Elk Horn; Sharon and husband Richard Nelson of Omaha, NE; and Richard Mardesen and wife Sara of Elk Horn; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Ethel Mardesen of Exira; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.