Mildred A. Pedersen

Mrs. Mildred A. Pedersen, age 99, passed away Friday evening, October 10, 2008, at the Christian Care Nursing Home. She was born November 10, 1908 in Grand Haven to Oscar E. and Nellie (Klinker) Olson. On September 21, 1933 she married Ivan H. Pedersen in South Bend, Indiana, and he preceded her in death on January 10, 1990. Prior to her marriage to Ivan, she worked at the Grand Haven Tribune. After devoting many years to raising her famiy, she returned to work as office manager for Dr. Charles DeWald D.D.S., retiring in 1971. Mildred was a long time member of McGraft Memorial Congregational Church; active over the years as a Sunday school teacher, Mayflower Guild member and Deaconess. Mildred is SURVIVED by her 2 daughters, Sharon Kay (Robert H.) Dillard of Muskegon and Linda Marie (Russell R.) Wright of Torrington, CT; 5 grandchildren, R. Scott (Patti) Dillard of Grand Rapids, Susan (James) Lawrence of Newport , KY, Peter R. (Marcia) Dillard of Rockford, MI, Ann Marie (Jeffrey) Whitley of Scottsdale, AZ, Dr. Emily (William) Siffermann of Chicago, IL; 11 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; 1 brother, Dudley Olson of Grand Haven; 3 sisters, Dorothy Braun of California, Virginia (William) Oakes of Leesburg, FL; and Bernice VerDuin of Grand Haven; sister-in-law, Blanche Olson of Grand Haven; brother-in-law Charles Lulofs of Grand Haven; many nieces and nephews; her many caregivers at Christian Care; and special friend Carol Cross. She was also preceded in death by 2 brothers, Ernest and Carl Olson; 2 sisters Marie Miller and Alice Lulofs, as well as her parents. A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held 11AM Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at McGraft Memorial Congregational Church (1617 Palmer Blvd) with Dr. Gerald J. Wahr officiating. VISITATION will be one hour prior to the service at the church. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be made to McGraft Memorial Congregational Church. Interment will be in Lakeside Cemetery.