Obituary of Sharon Pedersen

Memorial Tribute Sharon Ann Pedersen, the daughter of John Clifford and Effie (Safley) Milner, was born May 17, 1931 in Cedar Rapids, IA. She spent her youth in Cedar Rapids and attended school there through her Junior year. She and her family relocated to Des Moines, IA where she completed her high school education. Following graduation, Sharon studied four more years at Drake University in Des Moines earning her B.A. in Journalism. After 16 years of schooling and books, she took a well-deserved year off, and received a different kind of education traveling through Europe. Upon returning to the states, Sharon put her journalistic skills to work at Iowa newspaper offices in Sheldon, Lake Park, and Spirit Lake. While living in Spirit Lake, she met Carl Leonard Bach Pedersen of May City, IA through mutual friends. After a long courtship, the two were wed on March 30, 1974 at Sheldon, IA. All the bright lights of the city and the grand views across Europe couldn't compare to the happiness she found for the next 33 years on the farm with Carl. Together, they raised cattle and row crops, taking the good years with the not so good. Sharon enjoyed all of it, especially the animals – she had a way with them and took pleasure in caring for them. She and Carl managed to get away in the early 1980s, taking a memory-filled trip to Denmark with Carl's father, Laurens, to visit relatives still living there. While it was enjoyable to reconnect, and the scenery was beautiful, nothing looked as good as pulling into their own driveway…they were home again. Life on a farm usually leaves little time for leisure activities, but when she had some, Sharon had her nose in a book. The most appealing topic being anything to do with history; she loved to read. She also appreciated music, having played the violin as a young girl. Carl and Sharon retired in 2007, and moved to the Milford Nursing Home in Milford, IA. When Carl died on February 18, 2010, Sharon continued to live there until she passed from this life on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at the age of 85. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Effie Milner; her husband, Carl Pedersen; and her brother-in-law, Clifford M. White. Left to cherish her memory are her sister, Marilyn White of Des Moines, IA; nieces, Holly (Jeff) Kooistra of Gretna, NE, and Laurel (Tom) Gard of Fergus Falls, MN; one nephew, John (Marue) White of Waupun, WI; eight grand-nieces and nephews, four great grand nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. Celebration of Life Sharon A. Pedersen Born ~ May 17, 1931 Died ~ May 18, 2016 Age ~ 85 years 1 day Memorial Service Monday, May 23, 2016 11:00 a.m. Hartley Funeral Home Chapel Hartley, Iowa Officiating Rev. Neil Wehmas Musical Selections "Amazing Grace" "The Old Rugged Cross" Pallbearers Robert Joens ~ Daniell Garloff John White ~ Jeff Kooistra Burial Prior to the Memorial Service Harrison Township Cemetery May City, Iowa