Pederson, Harvey (1919-2011)
PEDERSON, HOVERSTEN, JACOBSON, LEMKE
Posted By: Paul Nagy, Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/27/2011 at 00:50:14
Harvey Pederson
(January 31, 1919 - February 12, 2011)Harvey Pederson, age 92, of Thompson, Iowa, passed away at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa, on Saturday, February 12, 2011.
Harvey Palmer Pederson was born in Butterfield, Minnesota, January 31, 1919, to Ole and Anna (Hoversten) Pederson. The family moved to their farm in Thompson, Iowa in 1920. Harvey graduated from Thompson High School in 1937 and subsequently attended the Agricultural School at the University of Minnesota.
He married Marjorie Carolyn Jacobson in 1954. They raised four children: Paul, Janet, Carl and David.
Active as a 4-H leader, Harvey had also served as a president of the local Farm Bureau. In addition, he served as president of the church council at the Bethany Lutheran Church. A dependable, generous and loyal friend and neighbor, Harvey was also passionate about the local history of his community.
Harvey was proud of his farming heritage and enjoyed caring for a variety of livestock throughout his farming career. He enjoyed raising beef, swine, sheep, and various kinds of poultry as well as keeping bees. Mismatched sets of ducks and geese as well as the family dog often followed Harvey across the farm as he went about his chores.
An avid ham radio operator, Harvey spent many rewarding hours keeping in touch with fellow hams near and far, who readily recognized his call letters, "WØDZC." Harvey liked trains, planes and automobiles. His favorite toy of all time was a miniature, working steam engine. As an adult, he loved Old Threshers' Reunions, an interest generated, perhaps, from that childhood toy. Moreover, he kept his youthful interests alive as his children learned about and played with a well used collection of minibikes, go-carts, and snowmobiles that turned the farmyard into a true playground. Moreover, he enjoyed fishing all around the area with his hometown friends and his children.
His wit was quick, his humor always kind. The greatest joy in his life was his marriage to Marjorie and the family they had together. He KNEW he had wonderful kids, and he was a caring father who nurtured their interests and took pride in their accomplishments. These feelings were awakened again when their grandchildren were born. He loved "those little boys"--William, John and Bobby came first, and in December, he was able to meet and hold his newest grandson, Andrew, just 6 weeks old.
Harvey was a romantic. He presented Marjorie with heart shaped, beribboned boxes of candy for Valentine's day and lovely jewelry at Christmas. He sang "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" in a strong tenor voice when he came downstairs in the morning, and he was on key. He was drawn to the exotic lure of far away places and longed to visit them. He compensated by watching travelogues on TV. As for many men in his age cohort, the history and battles of the Second World War fascinated him. Harvey also had a gift for engaging in conversation with any stranger and would soon have them cheerfully talking about everything.
Harvey retired from farming in 1989, and he and Marjorie remained on their farm until Marjorie's death in 2007.
Harvey is survived by his children: Paul, of Tucson, Arizona, Janet (Scott Lemke), of Plano, Texas, Carl, of Stanhope, Iowa, and David (Kris Thierry) of Plano, Texas; and his grandchildren William, John and Robert Lemke, and Andrew Pederson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ole and Anna Pederson, and his wife, Marjorie.
His funeral ceremony will be held at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson, Iowa, on Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at 10:30 AM with Rev. Mark Decker officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Thompson, Iowa. Visitation will be one hour before the service at Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson.
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