Elvira Christina Pedersen

 Elvira Hansen Pedersen, was born August 7, 1918 to Cornelius and Julia Hansen on a farm in Alta, IA. She received her education at Sioux Rapids and the Cornell School. She finished 8th grade at a country school west of Everly. Her mother died when she was 12 years old and she cared for her younger brother, Ken, and worked in different homes as a cook. Times were difficult and in 1935, Nels Pedersen hired her father to work for him on the farm north of Everly. Elvira and Ken moved to the farm also, where Elvira cooked for the men. They all moved to a farm at Terril in 1941. On September 4, 1943, Elvira married Nels Anders Pedersen in Parker, SD. They lived on the farm in Terril until they moved to Fostoria where they made their home until 1992. Elvira had a stroke and they moved to Northshire Residence in Spencer. Elvira, Nels and Elvira's brother, Ken, took a trip together to Denmark in 1955 and met many of Elvira's relatives and Nel's family that lived in Denmark. Elvira worked at the Whip Factory in Fostoria for 10 ½ years. She enjoyed the outdoors, taking care of the yard and garden and her chickens! She liked to go fishing and play cards with family and friends. She always had something to eat on hand for anyone who stopped for a visit. You were always welcome – no matter what time of day it was. She also enjoyed writing poetry and poems for special occasions. She was a member of the Fostoria Methodist Church, was a past secretary of the W.S.C.S. and member of the Eastern Star. Elvira passed away at Northshire Residence in Spencer on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nels Pedersen; her parents; and three brothers: Harry and Tressie, Andrew and Wink, and Kenneth. She is survived by her loving family: step-son, Blaine Pedersen and wife, Margery; granddaughter, Pam Galm and her husband, Steve; grandson, Scott Pedersen and wife, Janine; 6 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great- grandchildren; two nieces; two nephews; other relatives and friends.