Marion Jeanne Pedersen

Burlington, formerly of Mount Pleasant – Marion Jeanne Pedersen, 91, passed away on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at Oak Park Place of Burlington. She was the seventh of ten children born to Gunner E. and Ragnhild A. (nee Heyerholm) Kjell in Iron Mountain, Michigan on February 4, 1930. There was one brother, Harold, born before Marion but died at the age of three. Two other brothers, Ray, and Howard Lee were born after Marion and died at the age of one. Marion grew up as the youngest child and the baby of the family. At the time of her death, Marion was the last of the family. Her mother died in 1969 at the age of 82 and her father died in 1978 at the ae of 87. The following siblings preceded her in death; Marjorie (Bill) Shono, Walter (Doris), Pearl (Saul) Babich, Vern (Geraldine), Ralph, and James (Hilda). At the age of seven, her family moved to Marinette, Wisconsin where she attended Menekaunee Grade School from grade two through grade six. At that time, the family moved back to Iron Mountain, and she graduated from Iron Mountain High School, Class of 1949. Upon graduation, she worked at the Wisconsin/Michigan Power Company. Wanting to see something other than Iron Mountain, she moved to Denver, Colorado where she worked for the Colorado Power and Light Company. Her next move was to Minneapolis, Minnesota where she worked for the Hardware Mutual Insurance Company. On February 12, 1955, Marion was united in marriage to Richard “Dick” Pedersen at the First Methodist Church in Marinette, Wisconsin. Marion and Dick had first met in the second grade while attending the Menekaunee Grade School. They went their own way, but later found each other again. And like they say, “The rest is history.” After their marriage they moved to Menomonie, Wisconsin where Dick attended the University of Wisconsin – Stout. While in Menomonie, Marion worked as a bookkeeper for a large supermarket. It was in Menomonie their first child, Ralph, was born. When Dick graduated from UW – Stout, the family moved to Munster, Indiana. Dick had taken a job at the Hammond Technical/Vocational High School. It was during this time-period that their second child, Ronald was born, and Marion became as stay at home mother. After four years in Indiana, the family moved to Racine when Dick took a teaching position at William Horlick High School. Shortly after moving to Racine, their third child, Ruth, was born. At that time, Marion made the statement, “We are not moving anymore! Every time we move, I get pregnant, and I do not want any more kids.” After the children were in school full-time, Marion had several jobs. She worked at Turnstyle, Goldblatt’s, and the Red Cross. When it was time for Ralph to go to college, Marion took a job with the City of Racine working in the Finance Department as a payroll clerk. Marion was immensely proud of the fact that she was able to help all the children to get a college education. In 1990, Marion retired from the City of Racine and began a highly active life as a volunteer. Some of the places she volunteered were at, West Ridge Elementary School, Red Cross, the nursing home at 16th street and Ohio Street, and at United Way. When she felt that she could no longer do the work at United Way, she helped her husband deliver Meals-on-Wheels for many years. Marion is survived by her daughter, Ruth “Rudi” (Doug) DiPrima; sons: Ronald (Sue) and Ralph “Jake” (Kimberley); grandchildren: Faren and Nathan.

Marion Jeanne Pedersen

February 4, 1930 - June 22, 2021