PEDERSEN
On August 7, 2007, Mrs. Violet Lillian Pedersen of Rimbey, Alberta, at the age of 87 years, peacefully passed on to her heavenly home. During the five weeks of her hospitalization, she was surrounded by her children and numerous friends who were thankful for the privilege of sharing their love and deep appreciation for the innumerable ways in which she touched their lives and the exemplary woman of faith she was.
Violet was born July 11, 1920 in Calgary to Margaret and William Spragg, both of whom came to Canada from England. She attended school in Calgary and became an accomplished horsewoman. In 1937, she was united in marriage to Christen Skak Pedersen who owned a small dairy farm on the outskirts of Calgary. In the fall of 1938, they moved along with their infant son, Rudolf, to a dairy farm (where Chris worked) south of Black Diamond, Alberta, were Ann and Kent were born. The family then moved into a log cabin near Priddis in 1941 when Chris became employed in the oilfield. The family relocated to an acreage on the outskirts of Black Diamond after Raymond was born in 1944. During the ten years in “the Diamond”, Gary and Paul were born. The family attended the Gospel Chapel where Reverend Rolland and Olive Hawkes were the family ministers for ten years. Following a year of searching for a farm, they purchased a half section two miles south and a half mile east of Rimbey on the Parkland Beach Road. Violet lived there in her beloved home with its circle drive and her flower gardens for 51 years. In 1970, Violet and Chris visited Denmark, and in 1988, she visited Europe with her son, Rudolf and family, meeting her English family for the first time. She also made trips to Eastern Canada and the West Coast, always reveling in the beauty and majesty of the Canadian scenery. In 1982, Chris passed away, and Raymond came to live with her on the farm. In 1990, Gary joined them at the farm with his infant daughter, Amanda. Following the sudden death of Gary in September of 2005, Violet moved into her lovely two-bedroom home in Rimbey, where she enjoyed decorating her home with all the flowers and nick-knacks she had collected in her lifetime (without exaggeration, there were more than 400!) On June 30, 2007, Violet went into the Rimbey Hospital, and two days later they discovered she had cancer. Her five weeks of convalescence at the hospital was highlighted by the visits of countless dear friends and family. Violet was so impressed with the outstanding care and attention of the nursing staff. Sadly, on August 7th, with Ann and Rudolf at her bedside, she peacefully passed away.
Violet will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her daughter, Ann Marie Yager of Toronto; and her sons, Raymond of Rimbey; and Rudolf of Toronto. She is also survived by two daughters-in-law, Lucille (Pedersen) Nawy of San Diego; and Eva (Pedersen) Mack of Calgary. The grandchildren and spouses who loved Violet and were deeply touched by her life include: Keith and Bettina Pedersen of San Diego, California; Kevin Pedersen of Seattle, Washington; Luann (Pedersen) and Phil Pannell of Los Angeles, California; Michael and LeAnn Yager of Stony Plain; Jeffrey and Mina Yager of Windsor, Ontario; Patti Yager, Daniel Yager and Janice Yager, all of Toronto; Brent Pedersen of Calgary; and Amanda Pedersen of Red Deer; in addition to 12 cherished great grandchildren; and two cousins, Sheila Corbet of Sharwley, England; and Jack Gray of Calgary. Violet was predeceased by her husband, Chris in 1982; her three sons, Kent in 1982; Paul in 1986; and Gary in 2005; her grandson, Dwayne Pedersen in 1986; and granddaughter, Jennifer Yager in 1979.
A Public Funeral Service in Celebration of Violet’s Life will be held at the Rimbey Church of the Nazarene, Rimbey on Saturday, August 11, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. with the Reverend Dave MacMillan officiating. Interment will follow in the West Haven Cemetery, Rimbey. If friends desire, memorial tributes in Violet’s Memory may be made directly to the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre ~ Palliative Care, Box 440, Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0; or to the Rimbey Church of the Nazarene, Box 889, Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0. Condolences to the Family may also be expressed by e-mail to: special_reflections@telusplanet.net
Funeral and Burial Arrangements for the Late Mrs. Violet Lillian Pedersen entrusted to the care of
Oberhammer Funeral Chapels Ltd.
Rimbey, Alberta
Telephone (403) 843-4445