Ernie Pedersen, 85, died Saturday, July 21, 2012 at Bethel Lutheran Home, Madison. He was born December 11, 1926 in a farm home near Larchwood, IA to Ejner and Kirstine (Kjeldsen) Pedersen. He received his education in Inwood, IA graduating from Inwood High School. Ernst served in the United States Air Force from 1945-1946. On October 16, 1949 he was united in marriage to Marian Halstenson in Inwood. Ernie managed grain elevators at Inwood, Ware, Marathon, Swea City, and Lakota, Iowa and Trent, SD for Quaker Oats, Cargill, Inc. and Farmers Co-op until his retirement in December 1991. Then he worked for farmers during harvest season and delivered fiber body utility trucks, boats and trailers. Ernie served on church councils and enjoyed hunting, fishing, road trips, coffee gatherings, and bird and squirrel feeding. He had various collections, enjoyed playing cards, using the computer and sending emails.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife Marian, Madison, SD; two sons, Scott (Pat), Lake Madison and Brian (Diane), Iroquois, SD; five grandchildren, Erin (Kevin) Feldhaus, Howard, SD, Steven (Maria) Pedersen, Madison, Ryan (Dixie) Pedersen, Iroquois, Jamie (Brandon) Hodne, Madison, Courtney (Wes) Hedrick, Arlington, VA; nine great-grandchildren, Aidyn, Isaac, Karsyn and Trent Feldhaus, Jordan and Jayna Pedersen, Jack Pedersen, Teegan and Krayton Hodne; a brother Art (Charmaine) Pedersen, Inwood and a sister-in-law Marliss (Ed) Fiscella, Green Valley, AZ. Ernie was preceded in death by his parents and brother Roger.

Funeral services will be 10:30 am Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at Messiah Lutheran Church, rural Flandreau, with burial in Richland Township Cemetery, Inwood, IA. Visitation is 5:00-7:00 pm Tuesday at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau, with a 7:00 pm prayer service.