Arlene M. Pedersen

Arlene Pedersen (nee Heinz) of Yorkville, IL, age 94, former longtime resident of West Chicago, passed away on June 25, 2025. She was born at home on May 25, 1931 in West Chicago to George and Bertha Spoden Heinz. Arlene was united in marriage to Rogers Pedersen at St. Mary’s Church in West Chicago on December 2, 1950.

She was an avid gardener, spending hours on her flowers. She especially loved working with begonias of endless varieties and impatiens. Over the years she took several trips to Garfield Park Conservatory with her sister, Lillie, and daughter Kathy to see the wide variety of flowers in their annual spring show. She also was intensely involved in crocheting: making table cloths and baby blankets for all her grandchildren. She passed on her hobbies to many of her children. When her husband, Rogers retired from the building trades she joined him in creating the family furniture business, Antiques of Tomorrow. They started the business in a small store on Main Street of West Chicago. When the business became more profitable they moved their business to the old Markl Dairy Building, and then to the Mechanic’s Garage around the Corner. Still needing more Space they moved the business to Plainfield, Il into a building they constructed. After Rogers passing the building was sold in 2020 and she returned to the life of retirement.

She was a very loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She provided help and assistance to all of her children and grandchildren. Especially… by providing daycare for two of her grandchildren, Mathew and Heather, from 6 months to 4 years old. She was very patient and caring.

Arlene is survived by her children: Kathy (Dan) Huml, John (Rebecca) Pedersen, Linda Pedersen, Debra Pedersen, Kenneth Pedersen, Jeffrey Pedersen, Michael (Kathy) Pedersen; 14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, Sister Georgene Cook, and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents George Heinz, Bertha Heinz Laschober, Andrew Laschober, brother Leonard Heinz, sisters Mary Heinz Dunlop, Lillie May Bahr, Victoria Spoden, and Pauline Snyder.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Norris-Segert Funeral Home and Cremation Services (one block north of Washington St. and Main), 132 Fremont St., West Chicago. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. and burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Geneva.