Gerald LeRoy Pedersen

Gerald LeRoy Pedersen, age 96, of Hartington, Nebraska, died on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton, South Dakota.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hartington, Nebraska, with Reverend Amanda Talley officiating. Burial will be in the Hartington City Cemetery in Hartington, with military honors provided by the Hartington VFW Post 5283 and the American Legion Riders. Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hartington. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.

You may watch a livestream of Gerald’s funeral at https://www.facebook.com/WintzRay  

Pallbearers are Benjamin Pedersen, Jesse Meints, Lucas Pedersen, Rob Pedersen, Briget Pedersen, Brandon Pedersen, Zack Pedersen, and Adam Lammers.

Honorary pallbearers are Eric Pedersen, Clinton Pedersen, Casey Pedersen, Suzanne Thompson, Amber Peterson, Rena Reisig, Reece Pedersen, Ria Pedersen, Chelsie Sawtell, Kaylana Pedersen, Kaitlin Stouffer, Kendra Swenson, Holly Schultz, Liz Schenkel, Ali Klippenstein, Abby Dybdal, Alexa Becker, and Autumn Lammers.

Gerald LeRoy Pedersen was born July 7, 1928, at Hartington, NE, to Danish immigrants Niels K. and Elvine (Dybdal) Pedersen. He grew up and attended country school near Hartington. He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Gerald married his soulmate, Lorraine Fischer, on February 24, 1952, in Yankton, SD. He lived life as a faithful, God-fearing gentleman.

As a young man, Gerald manually set pins at SunGlo Bowl, worked at Ferris Meat Market in Hartington and then, alongside his dad, as a “grease-monkey” for Ira Van Buskirk Construction, Hawarden, IA. The heavy equipment seed was sown and soon launched Pedersen & Sons Construction in Hartington. A great many farms were improved with conservation practices under their careful perfection. As all good things come to an end, Gerald retired from the construction business and soon found himself working with Lorraine and a sewing machine as Pedersen Upholstery. Again perfection was the standard. Not one to be idle, when the rigors of upholstery took their toll, Gerald found himself behind the mop as custodian of the City Auditorium, keeping things clean, fixed, and up-to-snuff for members of the community.

Throughout his life, Gerald had a keen sense of integrity, duty, and honor. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict for which he was awarded medals of honor including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Combat Infantryman Badge. During the growing family years he served on church council, school board, city council, and as County Commissioner. 

A quiet man with deep faith and quick wit, he would tell you, “Still water runs deep.” And so he did, but be careful, he “had a can opener…”

Gerald is survived by his children: Leon (Pam) Pedersen of Crofton, Linda Starr of Iowa Falls, IA, Roland (Myrna) Pedersen of Columbus, Richard (Rita) Pedersen of Hartington, Kevin Pedersen of Hartington, Neil (Tamara) Pedersen of Hartington, Ger (Shelly) Pedersen of Yankton, SD, Kristie (Kip) Lammers of Yankton, SD; 26 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter; 12 sisters– and brothers-in-law, Bob Kuchta of Hartington, Darlene Keiter of Hartington, Gerald (Donna) Fischer of Hartington, Shirley (Duane) Lackas of Creve Couer, MO, Patricia Steffen of Hartington, LeRoy (Diane) Fischer of Hartington, Keith (Sue) Fischer of Greenville, TX , JoAnn (Warren) Placek of Tyndall, SD , Ronald Fischer of Ladonia, TX, Janice Hansen of Spearfish, SD, Donald (Marlys) Fischer of Crofton, Rodney (Nancy) Fischer of Hartington; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine on November 11, 2023; parents, Niels and Elvine Pedersen; parents-in-law, Art and Beatrice Fischer; brothers: Gunnar Pedersen, Lloyd (Inez) Pedersen, Richard L. Pedersen, Marvin (Gladys) Pedersen; sister, Doris (Ernest) Bell; sisters-in-law, Lucille Kuchta and Ruth Fischer; brothers-in-law, Jake Keiter, Orville Steffen; daughter-in-law, Rita Pedersen; and son-in-law, Jim Starr.