Thelma Pedersen

Former Hastings resident, Thelma F. Pedersen, 95, passed away Monday, January 17, 2011 at The Nebraska Masonic Home in Plattsmouth, Nebraska.

Services will be Saturday, January 22, 2011; 11:00 A.M. at Butler Volland Chapel, Hastings with Rev. Dr. William Nottage-Tacey officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska. Visitation will be Saturday, January 22, 2011; 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home. While flowers will be appreciated, the family suggests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to The Nebraska Masonic Home, c/o Mary Stapp, 1300 Avenue D, Plattsmouth, Nebraska 68048.

Thelma F. Pedersen was born on January 7, 1916 in Hastings, Nebraska to Clayton G. & Jennie O. (Steen) Dennis. She resided in Hastings most of her life. She graduated from Hastings Public Schools in 1934 and attended Hastings College. On January 2, 1938 she married Lester D. "Red" Pedersen; he preceded her in death on September 18, 1992. She worked as a bookkeeper for Stewart Plumbing & Heating and Martin Plumbing Co. Thelma and Lester managed and owned Pedersen's Mobil Service at Second and Burlington Avenue in Hastings. They were at this location from 1940 until they retired in 1978. They both took pride in the young men who worked for them while at Hastings High School and Hastings College. These young men and their families returned over the years with their families to visit with Thelma. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church since 1945. She was very active in various activities of the church. She was a member of Acacia Chapter #39 OES since 1944. She was also a member of the Tehama Shrine Auxiliary, YWCA, and Royal Neighbors of America and served as a member of the Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Auxiliary with over 3,000 hours of service. Thelma and Lester received the Volunteer of the Month award in 1990. She also volunteered with American Red Cross and Bloodmobile. The family is appreciative of the care that Thelma received from the staff at The Nebraska Masonic Home, especially Rhonda, Jennie and Theresa.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lester D. Pedersen; and step-grandson, Jeff Fisher.

Survivors include:
Sons & Spouses: Allan D. Pedersen - Pikeville, NC
Richard D. & Bobbi Pedersen - Sanger, CA
Don & Coni Pedersen - Desert Hills, AZ
Grandchildren & Spouses, including: Holly & Brett Nitke - Greenville, NC
Penny Pedersen & Andy Pankow - Ketchikan, AK
Chip Pedersen, Jr. & Ann Pedersen - Victoria, MN
Justin Pedersen - Sanger, CA
Wendy & Lonnie Kipple - Fairplay, CO
Julie Pedersen - Yucaipa, CA
Jeffery & Yuki Pedersen - Honolulu, HI
Jeni & Joe Burks - Beaverton, OR
Shawn Douglas - Chino, CA
Great-Grandchildren: Alec Pankow - Ketchikan, AK
Rudy Pankow - Ketchikan, AK
Henning Pankow - Ketchikan, AK
Ryan Pedersen - Victoria, MN
Connor Pedersen - Victoria, MN
Trevor Pedersen - Victoria, MN
Christi Kipple - Fairplay, CO
Jocelyn Burks - Beaverton, OR
Jon Burks - Beaverton, OR
Joshua Burks - Beaverton, OR
Josephine Burks - Beaverton, OR
James Burks - Beaverton, OR
Step-Grandchildren & Spouses: Beth Nitke - New Bern, NC
Amber Nitke - New Bern, NC
Kayla Nitke - New Bern, NC
Megan Nitke - New Bern, NC
Herb & Beth Fisher - AZ
Jon & Lynette Fisher - AZ
Bobbi Fisher - AZ
Jay & Debbie Fisher - AZ
Jim & Jane Fisher - AZ
Step-Great-Grandchildren: Heather Hauschild - AZ
Christa Beck - AZ
Janae Fisher - AZ
Justin Fisher - AZ
Ethan Fisher - AZ
Evelyn Fisher - AZ
Jennifer Fisher - AZ
Jeffrey Fisher - AZ
Meghan Fisher - AZ
Marcus Fisher - AZ
Danielle Fisher - AZ
Step-Great-Great-Grandchildren: Blake Hauschild - AZ
Garrett Hauschild - AZ
Carter Beck - AZ
Special Friends: Anna Edmundson - Pikeville, NC
Janine Edmundson & Jon Booker - Hillsborough, NC
Amy & Todd Brantley - Raleigh, NC
Miss Sarah George Booker - Hillsborough, NC
Atha Marie & Nora Mae Brantley - Raleigh, NC
Grand-Niece: Nancy Mundorf - Redondo Beach, CA