Delores Minnie Lassegard was born in Betts, South Dakota on March 15, 1924. She was born at home to a close and caring family. Her parents, Minnie (Krause) and Thomas Lassegard were raised by families that homesteaded in South Dakota.
The names of Delores' sisters and brothers are Helen Robinson, Vivian Jenks, Gladys Olson, Lloyd Lassegard, Stan Lassegard and Ken Lassegard.
Delores graduated from Fulton High School (South Dakota) in 1943. At age 19 she moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to work
in a steel factory and help with the war effort. In 1948, she moved to Omaha, Nebraska to work as a telephone operator. She enjoyed placing the calls, and sometimes she would talk to famous people. During this time she met Robert Pederson, who also worked for the telephone company.
Robert Pederson was born in Dallas, South Dakota on December 11, 1924. He graduated from Norfolk High School (Nebraska) in 1943. Bob was a petty officer in the navy during W.W. II and during the Korean Conflict.
They married on June 6, 1953. Later, they moved to Norfolk, Nebraska where Bob worked as a lineman on the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. In 1957, the Pedersons were transferred to Eagle Grove, Iowa. Bob worked for the railroad for a total of 35 years, until he retired.
On Mother's Day (May 9, 1954), Delores gave birth to Vicki Lynn Pederson. Vicki graduated from Eagle Grove High School (Iowa) in 1972. She obtained an AA in nursing, BS, and MS in social work. Vicki has lived in the Ames area since 1973.
Delores died two weeks after Mother's Day on May 23, 1993 from a weak heart. She had survived for fifteen years after several heart attacks. Her courage and inner strength were an example to all those who were in contact with her. 8/22/94 |
