Donald Pedersen

Donald Charles Pedersen was born in Dunlap, Iowa, on May 6, 1928, the son of Nita and Clara Pedersen. He died Saturday, June 4, 2016, at his home in Denison, Iowa, at the age of eighty-eight.
Donald was baptized and confirmed into faith in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Dow City, Iowa. He received his elementary education in rural schools near Dunlap and Dow City and his High School education in Dow City, graduating with the class of 1947. Don was employed on the family farm before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1950, where he served as a radio operator with the 23rd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. From 1950 to 1954, during the Korean War, he flew twenty-seven missions over enemy territory. In Okinawa, he was awarded the Air Medal for his courage, fortitude and desire to aid the United Nations cause. Other awards he received were the National Defense Service Medal, The Korean War Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force in November 1954. After completing his tour of duty, Don resided in Soldier, Iowa, where he was employed by Monona County as a road maintenance inspector for several years. Then, in partnership with his brother Dave, they owned and operated an automobile service station in Soldier for four years. During this time, Don was also employed as a school bus driver for the East Monona Community School system. He then operated the Midway Tavern. Don relocated to Manilla in 1970, where he owned and operated a retail grocery business for five years. He became employed as a carpenter and continued to do this work until his retirement.
On August 14, 1955, Don was united in marriage to Betty Ann Ullrich at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, the couple was blessed with the birth of two children.
Donald was an active member of his community with current memberships in the American Legion Post #132 in Manilla, Iowa, and the Trinity Lutheran Church in Manilla. Previous memberships included the American Legion Post #462 in Soldier, Iowa, the Manilla Commercial Club and the Manilla Community Club. His hobbies and interests included: woodworking, attending sports events or watching them on TV, fishing, hunting, bowling, card games and socializing with friends. He loved spending time with family, especially his grandchildren, and traveling- he and Betty visited each of the contiguous states of the U.S. and enjoyed many trips to Branson, Missouri. Don was also an avid flower and vegetable gardener.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, in infancy; sister, Alyce and her husband Edmund; two brothers: David and his wife, Norma; and Lawrence. Survivors include: his wife, Betty; one son, Kevin and his wife, Ronda; one daughter, Vicki and her husband, Michael; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one brother, Gerald and his wife, Charlene; many other relatives and friends.