Alton Pedersen

Alton M. "Pete" Pedersen passed away on Friday, June 29, 2012, at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. He was born on June 2, 1932, on the family homestead near Reserve, Montana, one of the youngest of eight children. His father was a Danish immigrant and his mother moved to America from Norway. He graduated from Medicine Lake High School in 1950, and then enlisted in the United States Army. At the end of that enlistment, he joined the US Air Force, and served a distinguished career of 20 years, including a tour in Viet Nam. After his retirement, he worked for the US Postal Service for 17 years as a Mail Handler. Never one to keep still, he then spent seven years as the owner/operator of Duds N Suds, where he enjoyed tinkering on the machines to keep them running. In 1955, he married Ione Klofstad of Plentywood, Montana. They would have celebrated 57 years together this September. They enjoyed seeing the world together, both during their time in the military and after retirement. He loved to tinker and fix things, but always had a problem picking up his tools and putting them back in the same place. His greatest joy was spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and great- grandchildren the past few years. He is survived by his wife, Ione, of Cheyenne; daughter, Jodee Pedersen McClure of Cheyenne; son, Don (Holly) Pedersen of Cheyenne; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Josh) Tolin of Papa, Hungary, Ian (Cristiana) McClure of Germany, Emma (Nick) Hubbard of San Antonio, TX, Chris (Erica) Pedersen of Okinawa, Japan, Heather Pedersen (Scott Swallow) of Cheyenne, and Mychal Pedersen of Cheyenne; and five great-grandchildren, Oliver Tolin, Jaxen Pedersen, Lili Hubbard, Ezra Hubbard and Tanner Swallow, along with two more on the way this fall. He is also survived by his sisters, Vida Medvedt of Glasgow, MT, and Arlene Lesterberg of Kellog, ID; and a brother, Max Pedersen of Polson, MT. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marinus and Carrie Pedersen; his brothers, Kenneth, Clarence, and Merlyn Pedersen; and a sister, Seena Gunderson. A memorial service will be conducted on Thursday, July 5, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with Pastor Robert Schmidt officiating. Internment of his urn will take place prior to the services at Beth el Cemetery. Those who wish may contribute to the St. Paul's Lutheran Church Foundation, 219 E 19th Street, Cheyenne, WY 82001, the Comea Shelter, 1504 Stinson Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82001 or the Davis Hospice Center, 6000 Sycamore, Cheyenne, WY 82009.

Service

Thursday, July 5, 2012 11:00am

St. Paul's Lutheran Church

218 East 19th Street

CHEYENNE, WY 82001

Interment

Beth El Cemetery

Pershing Avenue

CHEYENNE, WY 82001