Charlene Faye Pedersen

Charlene Faye Pedersen July 20, 1927 - May 10, 2018 On Thursday, May 10, 2018, Charlene Faye Pedersen, peacefully went home to her Lord and Savior surrounded by her loving family at Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison, Iowa, at the age of 90 Charlene was born July 20, 1927, to Otto and Louise (Jurgensen) Schultz on a farm near Ricketts. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. At the age of three, Charlene's family moved to their current farm near Schleswig. She rode her horse to country school at Hanover #1 and graduated from Schleswig High School in 1945. After graduation, she attended the C.E. School of Commerce in Omaha, Nebraska. On December 31, 1950, Charlene Schultz was married to the love of her life, Gerald Pedersen. They lived on a farm near Defiance for one year, then moved to the family farm near Schleswig for the next 64 years. They were blessed with three children: Darla, Donna and Daryl. In 2016, they moved to Silveridge in Denison. Charlene was a loving, devoted Christian wife and mother. She taught VBS and was active in the LWML, Ladies Aid and quilters group. They both helped with various church activities like the 75th Anniversary Book and soup dinners. Charlene loved the farm where she grew up and spent most of her life. She enjoyed gardening, canning and especially growing flowers. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles, sewing, crocheting and crafts. Her love for cats, dogs, horses and animals was evident. She was a devoted grandmother to Erica Gardner, Ryan and Jeremy Box, Brandon, Dolly and Kayla Pedersen. Charlene loved making and baking things for the grandkids and spending time with them. She also enjoyed holding and watching her 12 great-grandchildren, expecting number 13 this summer. Gerald and Charlene enjoyed traveling, especially to visit Darla and Erica in Virginia every summer. They were blessed to go on trips to Hawaii, Carribean cruises, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Milan, Italy, where they met her German cousin, Hannah, a well-known painter. Charlene's favorite trip was to Alaska. Those left to cherish her memory include: her devoted husband, Gerald; her children: Darla (Bill) Soles of Swanton, Maryland, Donna (Dean) Box of Schaller, and Daryl (Barb) Pedersen of Denison; grandchildren: Erica Gardner of Dumfries, Virginia, Ryan (Krista) Box of Schaller, Iowa, Jeremy (Leslie) Box of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Brandon (Bridgette) Pedersen of Carol Stream, Illinois; Dolly (Eric) Swearingen of Hartford, South Dakota, and Kayla (Ryan) Morgan of Schleswig, Iowa; great-grandchildren: Khalil Gardner, Jonathan Box, Addison, Emma and Baby Box, Brayden, William and Anthony Pedersen, Gage and Emery Swearingen, and Lylian, Brody and Sophia Morgan; one sister-in-law, Betty Pedersen of Denison, Iowa; other relatives and friends. Charlene was preceded in death by her parents; sisters-in-law, Alyce Kloepper, Norma Pedersen and Irene Pedersen; and brothers-in-law, Edmund Kloepper, David Pedersen, Lawrence Pedersen and Don Pedersen. Funeral Services were held 2 PM, Monday, May 14, 2018, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig, Iowa. Rev. Merle Mahnken officiated the service with graveside rites held at Morgan Cemetery in Schleswig. Organist Marlene Hight provided accompaniment for congregational hymns "Lift High the Cross," "Take My Hand" and "Abide With Me." Serving as pallbearers were Ryan Box, Erica Gardner, Jeremy Box, Brandon Pedersen, Ryan Morgan, Neal Nahnsen and Eric Swearingen. The family invited everyone to return to the church for fellowship and lunch provided by the Ladies Aid and Staley's. The Huebner Funeral Home in Schleswig was in charge of arrangements.