Kenneth Marinus Pedersen, Sr., 82, of Emerson, NE passed away Monday, August 17, 2015 at the Pender Community Hospital in Pender. Funeral services will be Friday, August 21, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Emerson; Pastor Miles Ruch will be officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, August 20, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church with a prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. Burial with military honors will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Emerson. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Emerson.

Kenneth was born March 4, 1933 to Walter R. and Helga (Dyer) Pedersen in Homer, NE. He attended elementary in Homer and graduated from Emerson High School. On April 9, 1954 he enlisted into the U.S. Army in Omaha, NE and was involved with the Korean War. On April 24, 1957 Kenneth married Alice Lundgren in Luverne, MN. To this union the couple had five children.

Kenneth worked for the Nebraska Public Power District in the Purchasing Department and retired in 1996 after 29 years of service. He was an active member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and served on the council and a member of the American Legion Post 60 in Emerson and was the past Adjutant and Treasurer for the post. He also served on the Emerson Tri-View Apartments board for several years. In his spare time he enjoyed playing cards and golfing with friends. Most of all, Kenneth loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Alice Pedersen of Emerson; son, Kenneth Jr. (Traci) Pedersen of Grand Island, NE; daughters, Brenda (Keith) Bice of Columbus, NE, Julie (Dan) Nielsen of Hornick, IA, Rhonda (Tim) Schademann of Columbus, NE and Susan (Lowell) Jepsen of Columbus, NE; sisters, Joyce, (Lee) Eggleston of Marshalltown, IA, Elaine (Don) Steinman of Emerson, NE, and Beverly Dawdy of Sioux City, IA; sisters-in-law Jackie Pedersen of Grand Lake, CO, and Pam Pedersen of Grandby, CO; eighteen grandchildren, two step grandchilren and twelve great grandchildren.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Eleanor (Louis) Gutzmann, brothers Harlan Pedersen and Richard Pedersen, brother-in-law Chuck Dawdy.

Kenneth Pedersen