THELMA MARIE PEDERSEN

PEDERSEN, THELMA MARIE Heaven welcomed Thelma Marie Pedersen home on Sunday evening March 25, 2012, when she suddenly and unexpectedly died. Dearly beloved wife for 66 years of Clifford Pedersen; loving mother of Janet Walter, Ardi Lane, Ginger Villanueva, and Ken Pedersen; grandmother of Alan Walter, Kirsti (Walter) Perry, Josh, Andrew, Eric, and Kyle Lane, Derick and Nina Villanueva, and K.C. and Shelby Pedersen; great-grandmother of Kylie and Johnny Perry, Ryan and Atticus Lane, and Andrew Walter; she also leaves many nieces and nephews. Thelma was born November 1, 1924, to Elisa and Frederik Gervolstad, one of three children. Her mother emigrated solo from Norway as a teenager and served in the U.S. Army as a nurse in France during World War I. After the war she returned to the U.S. with her husband. Thelma was raised in Piedmont and graduated as a Registered Nurse from Merritt Hospital, just like her mother. She met her husband at Mt. Hermon on a date arranged by his sister when she was 18 and he was 29. Her family thought he was a "handsome, unassuming young man". After five dates, they were engaged. They married in 1946 after Cliff's service as a captain in the merchant marine during World War II. She scored an "exceptional" on her state boards, and worked as an RN until the birth of their first child Janet in 1949. They lived in Marin County while Cliff developed Clipper Yacht Harbor in Sausalito until 1998 when they moved to San Diego. Thelma adored her children and grandchildren. She was their biggest fan and encourager. A selfless woman with a servant's heart, Thelma was a loyal and supportive wife, a wonderful mother and mother-in-law, and a great Bestemor/Mor-Mor. She was an amazing person, generous, practical, full of love and grace, with a strong but silent (Norwegian) will, and a prayerful faith. She never complained and was an inspiration and encourager to all she met. She was proud of her heritage but even more she loved America, parades and the American flag. She gave much of her energy towards exercising her faith as a family builder first, then also as a BSF leader, prayer warrior, and grief counselor at Marin Covenant Church and then at Rancho Bernardo Presbyterian Church up until her death. She was ever grateful for God's blessings passed down thru the generations and always trusted that "Thy will be done". Friends are invited to honor and celebrate Thelma's life and faith on Sunday, April 15, at 2:00 p.m. at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church, 17010 Pomerado Rd., San Diego, or on May 11 at 11:00 a.m. at Marin Covenant Church, 195 North Redwood Dr., San Rafael.