Gerald M. Pedersen

On September 18, 2025, Gerald Marinus Pedersen, age 100 years, passed away at Jenny Edmundson Hospital. He was born on September 2, 1925, on a farm near Dunlap to Clara (Nielson) and Nita M. Pedersen. He was the sixth of seven children.

Gerald grew up on farms around Dow City. He attended country school and the Dow City School through the eighth grade. Then he helped on their farm as well as neighbors. Gerald was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Dow City. He spent two years in the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Hector.

At a dance at the Columbia Hall in Denison friends introduced Gerald to Charlene Schultz, who would become the love of his life. On December 31, 1950, Gerald and Charlene were married at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig. They lived on a farm near Defiance the first year before moving to the family farm southwest of Schleswig. It has been recognized as a Century Farm. They raised cattle, hogs, chickens and had dairy cows.

Gerald and Charlene were blessed with three children Darla, Donna and Daryl, six grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He continued to send each of them birthday and anniversary cards. He loved his family, friends and neighbors and spending time with them. Gerald was a loving, devoted, Christian husband, father and grandfather. They worked hard farming, gardening and raising a family.

As a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church Gerald served as an elder, trustee and usher. He helped put the roof on the educational unit and they both helped with the 75th Anniversary book and soup dinners.

In 2016, Gerald and Charlene moved from the farm to Silveridge in Denison where they quickly felt at home in the close-knit community and appreciated the compassion and care shown by the staff.

Gerald always had a love for the land as a lifelong farmer. He planned and planted windbreaks which also served as a refuge for birds and animals. Gerald enjoyed polka music, fishing and woodworking. He was a talented woodworker whose handcrafted pieces became treasured family heirlooms.

Gerald and Charlene were blessed to travel. Every summer they went to visit Darla and Erica in Virginia and the D.C. area. They also traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Caribbean cruises and various other states.

Gerald will be deeply missed. Those left to cherish his memory include children: Darla (Bill) Soles of Swanton, Maryland; Donna (Dean) Box of Schaller; Daryl (Barb) Pedersen of Denison; grandchildren: Erica Gardner of Richmond, Virginia; Ryan (Krista) Box of Schaller; Jeremy (Leslie) Box of Cedar Rapids.; Brandon (Bridgette) Pedersen of Carol Stream, Illinois; Dolly (Eric) Swearingen of Hartford, South Dakota; and Kayla (Ryan) Morgan of Schleswig; great-grandchildren: Khalil Gardener, Jonathan and Landon Box, Addison, Emma and Carly Box, Brayden, William and Anthony Pedersen, Gage, Emery and Declan Swearingen, Lylian, Brody and Sophia Morgan, nephews, nieces, cousins among other relatives and friends.

Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Charlene, of 67 years (May 2018); his parents, Nita and Clara Pedersen; one sister, Alyce Kloepper; two brothers in infancy: Ralph and Howard; three brothers: David, Lawerence and Donald; brother-in-law, Edmund Kloepper; sisters-in-law, Norma Pedersen, Irene Pedersen and Betty Pedersen.

His funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30, all on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig. Interment will follow in the Morgan Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family for donations to be made in his name. His funeral service will be live streamed to the Immanuel Lutheran Church Facebook page.