Geraldine Pedersen

GERALDINE MARIAN (ALEXANDER) PEDERSEN, daughter of Leo and Frances (Straw) Alexander, was born on October 12, 1924, in Jasper, Minnesota. The family lived for several years at Pipestone, before moving to Jasper to make their home. While living in Jasper, Leo worked at the East Quarry, where he contracted stone-cutters consumption and he later entered the Worthington Tuberculosis Sanatorium for treatment. A short time later his wife, Frances, also contracted TB and she too entered the sanatorium where they both died after several years of treatment.

Geraldine attended Jasper Public School and made her home with her grandparents, Frank and Iva Straw, until she graduated from high school. She was Jasper’s Homecoming Queen in 1941, and graduated from Jasper High School in 1942. She attended South Dakota State College at Brookings, South Dakota. Prior to her marriage she was employed as a machine bookkeeper at John Morrell and Co. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and at the Jasper State Bank.

Geraldine was united in marriage to Earl E. Pedersen on April 27, 1945, in Pipestone, Minnesota. Following their marriage the young couple moved to the Louis Stordahl farm, southwest of Jasper, where they were employed for two years. In 1947, the couple moved to a farm northwest of Jasper, where they farmed for 12 years, before buying the Dale Jorgenson farm, south of Jasper, in 1960.

Geraldine was employed by the John Davidsons, at the Jasper Journal for several years before she was appointed Editor of the Jasper Journal in 1970. She continued to serve as Editor until 1978.

Geraldine was a Charter Member of the Jasper Historical Society which organized in 1976. In 1981, she was asked to be the Curator of the Jasper Museum, and she has continued in that capacity since that time. She has devoted sacrificial time to collecting and researching Jasper’s history, and maintaining an extensive collection of valuable artifacts for the Museum.

Earl and Geraldine retired from farming in 1991, and moved to Jasper to make their home. The couple enjoyed 13 winters in Mesa, Arizona before ill health forced Earl to remain at home. Earl died on February 19, 2000. After suffering a stroke, Geraldine was admitted to the Pipestone County Medical Center and then was brought into the care of the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She passed away peacefully there on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at the age of 95 years, two months, and six days.

Geraldine was a member of the Jasper United Methodist Church, where she served as Sunday School teacher, Women’s Society President, and as a member of the Official Board. She was an organized and charter member of the Live N’ Learn Extension Club. She enjoyed cards and coffee times with friends, but nothing deterred her from her interest and work at the museum.

Geraldine is lovingly remembered by her son, Loren of Rapid City, South Dakota and two grandchildren, Quinton and Christopher Pedersen. Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents, Frances and Leo Alexander; and her husband, Earl.

Blessed be her memory!