Obituaries : Gerald D. 'Pete' Pederson

Gerald D. Pederson

VINTON -- Gerald Donovan “Pete” Pederson, 95, of Vinton, died Monday, May 2, 2016, at Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton due to complications of a stroke.
A Celebration of Life service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 5, 2016, at First Christian Church in Vinton with Rev. Dave Neas officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 4. Private family inurnment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton.
Gerald was born March 5, 1921, on the family farm in rural Dunlap in Grundy County, Missouri, the son of Grant Andrew and Zella Tharp Pederson.  He was raised in Grundy County and graduated from Spickard High School in 1939.  He enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1940 and proudly served his country in the 73rd Squadron, 434th Group, 9th Air Force in the European Theater for 3 years. Following his service, he studied for one semester at Missouri University.
On July 18, 1948, Gerald was united in marriage with Wineva Spickard in Spickard, Missouri. The couple raised five children together.
Gerald was a Goodyear Tire wholesale and retail dealer. He began working for Goodyear in the summer of 1938. He managed stores in Muscatine and Ottumwa from 1947 until 1954. After leaving the Ottumwa store, he worked as a Goodyear field representative until purchasing the Goodyear dealership in Vinton from John Fix in July of 1955.  He retired in 1980 after 31 years in the business.
He was an active member of First Christian Church in Vinton.  He served as a Deacon, an Elder and Moderator of the Church Board.
Gerald was also an active community leader.  He was the Mayor of Vinton from 1976 to 1978 and was on the City Council.  He became a member of the Vinton Lion's Club in 1955 and served as President from 1975 to 1976.  He was a member of Vinton's Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post 57.  He was the Vice President of Vinton Development and was a member and past President of the Vinton Country Club. He had also served on the Board of the State Bank of Vinton, now US Bank.
He enjoyed fishing, pheasant hunting, mushroom hunting and golfing, achieving a hole in one three times during his golfing career. He was also a skilled, self-taught harmonica player.
Gerald is survived by his wife, Wineva, of Vinton; three sons: Dennis (Cheryl) Pederson of Des Moines; Steve (Carol) Pederson of Fort Dodge; and Alan (Julie) Pederson of Altoona; two daughters: Eve (Steve) Mahr of Des Moines and Sally (James Autry) Pederson of Des Moines; 9 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 6 step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother Juanita Pederson; and one brother and sister-in-law, Lloyd and Jauineta Pederson.
As an organ donor, Gerald continues his tradition of service to others.
A memorial fund has been established.
Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Gerald and his family. Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.