Ione Pederson

Ione M. Pederson, age 88, of Willmar, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, April 2, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Willmar. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, April 10, at the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be forwarded to Bethel Lutheran Church, Rice Hospice, and the American Heart Association.

Ione Marie Pederson was born on September 9, 1928, in Willmar, Minnesota, the daughter of Hans Edward Nelson and Ida Marie (Swenson) Nelson. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church and attended Willmar High School. Over the years, Ione worked in the retail business at Tom & Bills Red Owl Foods, J.C. Penney, Torgerson's C. Suzanne, and Langager's Jewelry.

Ione married Virgil (Ecky) Pederson on July 3, 1949. Ione and Virgil spent 64 loving years together. During this time, they were blessed with three sons Keith, Gregory, and Daryl. Ione enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, watching her children and grandchildren play sports, sharing her baked goods with others, and entertaining at her home. Ione loved the outdoors, bird watching, gardening and travel. Ione and Virgil spent 10 winters together enjoying the weather in Mesa, Arizona. When not outside, Ione took time to knit, play dominoes, cards, bingo, and watch the Minnesota Twins play. Ione was a dedicated member of the Elk DOES, the Senior Citizens, Honor Unit, Bethel Church Matins, Swedish Friends and Quilters Group.

Ione is survived by three sons, Keith (and Deb) Pederson of Willmar, Gregory (and Vickie) Pederson of Mound and Daryl (and Cathy) Pederson of Willmar; five grandchildren, Shannon Brown, Nick (and Amanda) Pederson, Sarah (and Eric) Pederson Weinhandl, Troy (and Bridget) Pederson, Aimee Pederson (and Brandon Porter); and nine great grandchildren Madyson, Trevor, Brooklyn, Isaac, Avery, Lucas, Maxwell, Bria and Abbilyn. Ione is also survived by sisters-in-law, Margaret Pederson and Marsha (and Paul) Buiede and her best friend, Bonnie Foster.

She was preceded in death by her husband Virgil Pederson in 2013; her parents; one sister, Mildred; three brothers, Glen, Harland and Lavern, and one great grandchild.

Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma, we love you.

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