Vernon Pederson, 83

Vernon Pederson, 83, Starbuck, died December 21, 2009.

Vernon was born to Elmer and Mable (Knutson) Pederson on June 6, 1926. He was baptized and confirmed in his beloved East Zion Lutheran Church in which his grandfather and great uncles were founders.

Vernon attended country school in District 59 and high school at Starbuck High School. He graduated in 1944. He then met a “new teacher” in town, Dorothy Windhorn, and in 1949 they were married.

They engaged in farming until 1959. In 1960 Vernon began a new career with the Surge Dairy Company. He retired from Surge in 1984.

He taught Sunday school, was a Luther League adviser, served on the church council, sang in, and for a time, directed the church choir and was active with the 4-H program; served on the Blue Mounds Township and the Minnewaska Lutheran Home Board of Directors.

After 56 years of marriage, Dorothy died of Alzheimers’s disease in 2005. Through those last difficult years, Vernon modeled for us what true love, devotion and patience look like.

Vernon was a fun dad and grandpa. His sense of humor, smile and twinkle in his eyes were contagious. He had a zest for life and will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; sisters and brother, Eleanor Gorder, Ilene Larson and Curt Pederson; brother-in-law, Jacob Gorder; nieces, Randi Tait, Betty Minnick and Karen Koehler.

He is survived by his children, Barry (Jane) Pederson, Barb (Chuck) Wiener and Brent (Sheri) Pederson; grandchildren, Shea (Jeremiah) Heine, Kristen (Jason) Grode, Megan (Jon) Stewart, Matthew Wiener, Andrew (Kristen) Wiener, McKenzie (Nate) Pederson, Britta Pederson, Hanna Pederson; great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Peyton, Avrey, Audrey and Maya; brothers, Dean (Pat) Pederson, Earl (Karen) Pederson; sister-in-law, Lee Pederson; brother-in-law/sister-in-law, George and Delores Sturm; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held December 26 at East Zion Lutheran Church in rural Starbuck with the Rev. Becky Worner officiating. Monica Gosseling was organist for the service with 4 Zion and Joy Dubois providing special music.

Burial was at East Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Pallbearers were Eric Danielson, LuVerne Forbord, Keith Knutson, Wayne Lien, DeWayne Mix and Todd Berg. Honorary pallbearers were Julian Stadsvold and Maynard Lundebrek.

Arrangements are with the Starbuck Funeral Home www.starbuckfh.com.

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