David Clarence Pederson

David Clarence Pederson

(September 22, 1932 — September 24, 2023)

David Clarence Pederson (91) of Freeport, Illinois passed away on September 24, 2023 with his beloved wife and family nearby. He was born September 22, 1932 in Duluth, Minnesota to Clarence and Tora Pederson as the oldest of three siblings.

A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a B.A. in Engineering, David served four years in the U.S. Air Force (1953-1957) as a crew chief for the F-86D Sabre. After discharge from the Air Force, he began his career as an engineer at Micro Switch/Honeywell, relocating to Freeport in 1962, and retiring after over thirty years of employment.

On August 8, 1975, he married Marieta Hagerty creating a blended family with three children each from previous marriages. Together, they built a cabin in Minocqua, Wisconsin on Bear Lake where they spent many wonderful vacations with their family. David loved to fly small airplanes and earned his private pilot’s license, which went hand in hand with his and Marieta’s love of travel which included many road trips across the country. A skilled carpenter, he used his woodworking skills for small and large projects, building a spec house and renovating a farmhouse in Red Oak, Illinois where he planted corn and soybeans on the 20-acre farm.

David loved music. His repertoire on the piano ranged from hymns such as “Amazing Grace” to classic jazz pieces. With both he and Marieta big fans of the band “Dave Major and the Minors,” his dance styles ranged from contemporary dance to the polka. In his youth, he achieved the honor of Eagle Scout, and throughout his life, David served in numerous capacities in the church.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Clarence Pederson and Tora Linnea Pederson. David is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marieta Pederson of Freeport; sons Jeff Pederson (Patti), Mark Hagerty (Bonnie), Scott Hagerty (Jennifer) and daughters Linda Marsh (Rockie), Laura Woodworth (Alan), Lisa Millikin (Scott); eighteen grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren. His sister Elaine Hill and brother Thomas Pederson (Nancy) also survived him.

Family services will be held at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. Private burial will be at Cedarville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Friends Forever Humane Society in Freeport, Illinois. https://www.friendsforeverhs.org/donate/donate-funds/