Marvis S. Pedersen's Obituary
Marvis S. Pedersen
5/24/1920 - 6/14/2011
Born in Outlook, Montana, Marvis became a life-long resident of the Lake City/American Lake area of Lakewood, Washington when his family returned to Lakewood when Marvis was one year old. The move to Montana had been to begin potato farming, but things did not work out as planned. The Lake City area had been where Agnes Gay Pedersen (Marvis' mother) had grown up with her six sisters and met her husband, Anton, originally from Denmark and were married in 1919. Marvis' only sibling, Rosemond Joyce (Peggy) was born in 1921.
Surrounded by cousins from his aunt's families, Marvis enjoyed growing up in the country. He attended local schools, and was a member of Boy Scout Troop 53 (which is still an active troop in the Lakewood area). While at Clover Park Junior High he was a member of the basketball team and consistently was mentioned on the Honor Roll for his grades. Attending high school in Tacoma was quite a distance from home. Often times he would share a ride with his father who worked in the tideflats area of downtown Tacoma. He was one of 717 students who graduated from Lincoln High School in 1939. Upon advice from a neighbor, Marvis decided to attend business school and study accounting. He was hired by Nalley's Fine Foods, and continued in the accounting department until his retirement after 40+ years with the company.
Looking for social opportunities, Marvis joined the Tacoma Elks Club in 1941 and continued as a member for 70 years. His ice dancing experience on Steilacoom Lake led him to meet his first wife, Margaret (Peggie) Luft. They were married in 1951, and purchased the family home on American Lake, which remained Marvis' home for his entire life. Marvis and Peggie had no children, but were supportive of their numerous nieces and nephews by providing generous summer stays at their home-"two children at a time for two weeks at a time. In addition, many friends and their families enjoyed time on the lake, and the lovely landscaping and garden maintained by Peggie and Marvis.
An active outdoorsman, Marvis joined the Crystal Mountain Volunteer Ski Patrol in 1966, and assumed the duties of the Ski Patrol Treasurer from 1968 through 1975. He received his Senior rank in 1969 and his National appointment in 1973 (National is as high as you can go in rank in the ski patrol system; it is a very significant achievement in the organization). He left the patrol in 1977. -Å"He was a real credit to the organization while he was part of it-, as stated by Bill Savery, a good friend and former Ski Patrol Director. Numerous friends enjoyed the Ski Patrol Equipment Committee meetings held on American Lake with Marvis as the host. Another Ski Patrol friend, Clancy Young, encouraged Marvis to join their Cascade Mountain elk hunting group. Marvis enjoyed the yearly adventure, and continued participating until he was 89 years old.
When Peggie passed away in 1985, Marvis continued on his own, but knew he wanted to share his life and home with someone, rather than in solitude. He and Dorothy L. Anderson Galteland of Federal Way, Washington met through a singles want ad in the newspaper, and were married in 1991. During their time together they traveled internationally with Dorothy's brother and sister and their spouses, visited friends and family throughout eastern Washington, Minnesota and Canada, and entertained at home. They regularly visited Mt. Rainier picking huckleberries and spent time with Marvis' cousin, Duane Nelson and his wife Clara and their family, at a variety of national parks. They regularly attended St. John's Lutheran Church in Lakewood, and found time during the week to be a part of a social dancing group that performed at retirement homes and fairs. Marvis organized a Safe Streets group for his neighborhood, and regularly participated in American Lake management groups. During their 16 years together (Dorothy passed away in 2007) Marvis became a loving member of Dorothy's family, sharing in family get-togethers of her daughter, Cheryl, and son, Robert, along with their spouses, children and grandchildren in addition to nieces and nephews in the area, especially Donna Cordingly who regularly shared breakfast with Marvis on Thursday mornings once he found himself on his own again.
One of the most amazing events in Marvis' life was when he broke his back when falling off a ladder at his home while washing second story windows when 80+ years old. From being in a comma at Harborview Hospital in Seattle, to a full recovery was a true testament to Marvis' will to live. During his numerous visits to the hospital this last year, the medical staff would always comment on the pins in his back holding him together that would show up in the x-rays. Marvis was a strong, no-nonsense man, who had numerous challenges in his life, yet he always strove to come out ahead. He was very compassionate, being the provider of last days of care for both of his wives, his sister and his mother. He loved living on the lake and his view of Mt. Rainier, with the eagles flying from the tree tops, and truly enjoyed the company of long time neighbors and their families, Harry Cole and Leona Long. May he rest in peace.
His remaining extended family will miss him greatly and recall fond memories of the times spent at his home overlooking American Lake. Memorial services will be Thursday, June 23, 2011, 2pm, in the Mountain View Valley Chapel, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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