Ina Pederson

Ina K. Pederson, 89, of Waterville died Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, August 23 at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in McGregor, with Pastor Andrew Preus officiating. Burial was at East Paint Creek Synod Cemetery, Waterville.
Ina Karen Pederson was the daughter of Dr. Jacob and Ella (Johnson) Deal. She was born at the farm home December 8, 1924. The farm, known then as the Jake Deal 80, was located one mile north of Rossville. As a young girl, Ina made the walk to and from the farm to attend the first and second grades at the Rossville School which she loved.
In 1934, after the death of her father, her mother moved Ina, her sister and two brothers to live in Waterville.  Ina attended school there through the ninth grade and later completed her schooling earning her Iowa G.E.D.
When a teenager, Ina met the love of her life, Amos Pederson. They hit it off becoming good at skating at the popular Pavilion at Waterville. They married December 21, 1941 at a Lutheran Parsonage in Decorah - a marriage and love lasting 71 years-plus. For a time they lived in Newton  and Ypsilanti, MI, and then moved back to Waterville where they settled in and raised their four children.
In 1948 they purchased Ina’s grandparents' house in Waterville, a home they shared for over 64 years. In her 80s, Ina continued to care for Amos at home until his passing away March 11, 2012.
Ina devoted her life to being a wife and mother, spending many years taking care of the family and seeing that the children were brought up in the Christian faith. Ina was employed at Northern Engraving in Waukon for 18 years, retiring in 1987.
Ina was baptized and confirmed at the East Paint Creek Synod Lutheran Church. Ina was a faithful member there and was active for many years in the Ladies Aid, Altar Guild and with teaching Saturday school and Bible school. In 2010 Ina and Amos became members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in McGregor and were thankful and felt blessed to be a part of God’s family there.
Traveling was a special part of Ina’s life with memories of taking the train from Waterville to Chicago, traveling by bus to Michigan along with a quick trip into Canada as a young girl. Ina and Amos enjoyed traveling and seeing family, whether by car, setting up camp in the Black Hills and Rockies, by pick-up and camper or by Amtrak. Many trips to spend time with family in central Iowa also brought them good times - they were always together.
Ina found pleasure in seeing the grandchildren, long phone calls with her daughter, reading, scrapbooking, sharing memories of times past and family photos.  She also liked feeding and watching the birds from her dining room window. She enjoyed plants and flowers and decorating the house at Christmas. Shopping and eating out were also favorite times for her. She had a sense of humor and generous heart, strong faith and love for her Lord and family. She will be forever in our hearts and dearly missed.
Ina is survived by two sons and a daughter, Terry (Sue) Pederson of Waterville, Scott (Diane) Pederson of Waukon and Melanie (Dennis) Sickels of Marshalltown; five grandchildren, Joyce (Reed) Bosley, Stephanie (Eric) Schumacher, Kristi (Juvenio) Palma, Brad Sickels and Ryan Pederson; one step-granddaughter, Melissa Simmons (fiancé Caleb); five great-grandchildren, Kylie Jo, Kinsley, Ryan, Lauren and Madison; four step-great-grandchildren, Lily, Holly, Katie and Caroline; her half-sister, Neva Bechtel of Waukon; a brother-in-law, Richard Schultice of Bondurant; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Amos; her son, Tony; her brothers, Marlin and Jake; her sister, Elberta Shultice; and two sisters-in-law, Emma Deal and Deloris Deal.
Honorary casketbearers were Ina's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Casketbearers were Scott and Terry Pederson, Brad Sickels, Ryan Pederson, Juvenio Palma and Eric Schumacher.
Martin Funeral Home in Waukon assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.