Donna J. Pedersen

          Donnabelle Jean Pedersen, 89, of Elba passed away on Saturday September 30, 2017, at Rose Lane Nursing Home in Loup City, surrounded by family.

          Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in St. Paul.  The Reverend Steve Neal will officiate.  Interment will be in the Elba Cemetery.

          Visitation will be held on Monday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Church.

          In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Elba Community Foundation, the Elba Cemetery or the donor’s preference.

          Jacobsen-Greenway Funeral Home in St. Paul is in charge of arrangements.

          Donna was born in Greeley County on September 25, 1928 to Murl and Eva (Gebauer) Vance.  She graduated from Scotia High School in 1946.  After receiving her teaching certificate, she taught at country schools in Valley and Howard Counties.

          On June 4, 1947, she married Clifford Pedersen.  To this union was born two children, Maryann Fern in 1949 and Roger David in 1952.  Donna and Clifford ran a successful cattle feeding operation near Dannevirke, Nebr. until 1975 when they moved to Elba, Nebr.  Clifford continued his trucking business and Donna was his dispatcher. 

          Donna was a member of Dannevirke Lutheran Church, followed by St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in St. Paul.  She was an active member of the Dannevirke Church, serving on the church board, Sunday school teacher and Bible School teacher.  She continued to volunteer in the St. Mark’s Church until health issues slowed her down. 

          Donna was one of the founders and an active member of the Petticoat Beef Boosters of Howard County.  She was active in community activities in Elba and served on the Howard County Election Board.  Donna was well known for her green thumb.  Their yard in Elba was a showplace of beautiful flowers.  Family history was her passion.  She spent many an hour digging in genealogy and preserving old pictures and stories for generations to come.

          Survivors include one daughter Maryann (Franklin) Eurek of Arcadia, one daughter-in-law Marcia Pedersen of Plattsmouth, four grandchildren Jennifer Eurek, Jeff (Carrie) Eurek, Travas (Erin) Pedersen, David (Nancy) Pedersen; and five great-grandchildren Ethan Brodersen, Carleigh Eurek, Jensen Eurek, August Pedersen and Harper Pedersen; and one sister Mary Sherrill of Lincoln.

          Donna was preceded in death by her beloved husband Clifford in May of 2017, a son Roger, a great-grandson Carter Eurek; three brothers Lyle, Chet and Jerry Vance; one sister Verna Penas; and two brothers-in-law Don Sherrill and Emil Penas.

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