Obituary
Donna J. Light, 89
Kenneth ‘Gasser’ Allen Pedersen, 83
Donna J. Light, 89
Gowrie – Donna J. Light, 89, passed away Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at Friendship Haven, Fort Dodge.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM Saturday, November 18, 2023, at United Methodist Church, Gowrie with Pastor Susan Rohden who officiated. Burial followed in Gowrie Township Cemetery. Palmer Funeral Home, Gowrie is in charge of arrangements.
Donna is survived by her daughter, Duana Light of West Des Moines; sons, Bruce (Sue) Light of Gowrie, and Mark (Sandy) Light of Adel; daughter-in-law, Cathy Light of Hibbing, MN; grandchildren, Kathryn (Dan) King, Megan (Adam) Kulow, Kevin (Krystal) Light, Joseph (Tiffany) Light, Thomas Light; step-grandchildren, Troy Davidson and Dennis Davidson; 8 great grandchildren; and sister Karen (Robert) Meyer of Rochester, MN.
Donna is preceded in death by her husband Frank Light, son Dwight Light, infant brother Darrell Anderson, brother Dennis Anderson and his wife Carol, and her parents, Wilbur and Hazel (Thomsen) Anderson.
Donna Jean Anderson was born May 11, 1934. Donna was raised on a farm near Paton. She attended School in Paton, graduating from Paton High School in 1952. She then continued her education at Iowa State Teaching College in Cedar Falls, where she received her teaching certificate. Donna taught 5th grade in Gowrie from 1954 to 1957. On March 22, 1957, she was united in marriage to Frank Light at the United Methodist Church in Paton. The couple established their home and farmed in the Callender and Gowrie area. Donna later was a substitute teacher in the area schools for 10 years. Donna played organ at the Callender United Methodist Church for 38 years. She is a member of the United Methodist Church in Gowrie and UMW.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
Sara Downs, 94
Kenneth ‘Gasser’ Allen Pedersen, 83
Donna J. Light, 89
Sara Downs, 94, passed away on October 1, 2023, at Kavanaugh House.
Sara was born June 16, 1929, in St. Charles, Iowa, the daughter of Wrensel “Rex” and Vivian (Barnett) Downs.
She wrote the “Down Memory Lane” column for Dayton Review and Gowrie News until 2022. She enjoyed crocheting afghans for all of the kids and never forgot a birthday. She found purpose in serving others, writing, and telling memories. She loved serving the Lord and attended nine mission trips to Jamaica in her 70’s. Her most rewarding “job” was her years as a Pastoral Assistant at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.
Sara is survived by her children, Terry O’Connor, John Amundson, Rex Amundson, Andy (Reva) Amundson, and Sally (Rick) McKern; 14 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and one grandson.
The family will greet friends Friday, October 6, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 3820 SW 9th Street. Sara will be laid to rest at St. Charles Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in loving memory of Sara.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Kenneth ‘Gasser’ Allen Pedersen, 83
Kenneth ‘Gasser’ Allen Pedersen, 83
Kenneth ‘Gasser’ Allen Pedersen, 83
Kenneth ‘Gasser’ Allen Pedersen, 83, of Gowrie, IA passed away on October 13, 2023 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.
There will be a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM Wednesday October 18, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church Gowrie IA with Pastor Jim Davis and Lay Minister Beth Carlon officiating. Burial services will be at Gowrie Township Cemetery with military rights by American Legion Peterson Post # 431 of Gowrie. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM until service time on Wednesday October 18th at Zion Lutheran Church. Palmer Funeral Home in Gowrie is in charge of arrangements.
Kenny was born on September 30, 1940 to William and Ione Pedersen in Ringsted, IA. He graduated from Ringsted High School in 1958. Kenny met Betty Hansen his senior year and went on to marry her in 1963. Soon after, Kenny joined the Army National Guard and served his country for six years.
Kenny earned the nickname “Gasser” working for People’s Natural Gas from 1963-2007. He loved making house calls and meeting people near and far. He also volunteered for the Gowrie Fire Department and was a part of the Gowrie Jaycee’s, American Legion and the Lion’s Club. He enjoyed pitching for the Gowrie Jaycee’s softball team, hunting, fishing, golfing, bowling, and biking. Most of all he enjoyed watching the Cubs and the Bears as well as his children and grandchildren play sports.
Family meant more to Kenny than anything else. Kenny and Betty started their family in 1966 with the birth of their daughter Teresa Ann. Their second child Patsy Jo was born in 1967, and Michael Kenneth was born in 1971.
Kenny is proceeded in death by his parents William and Ione, his brothers Dennis and Gerald, his son-in-law Quentin Silberstein, his granddaughter Samantha Silberstein. Kenny is survived by his wife Betty, children Teresa (Craig) VanLoon of Ankeny, Patsy Silberstein of Ankeny, Mike (Amy) Pedersen of Lenexa, eight grandchildren Ashley (Colin) Panzi, Tyler (Megan Ferguson) VanLoon, Austin (Elisa Kim) VanLoon, Orion Pedersen, Chase VanLoon, Alex Silberstein, Adam (Saylor) Silberstein, Kayley Pedersen, and seven great grandchildren, Sister Donna (Don) Brobst of Alabama, and brother Ronald Pedersen of Michigan.
The family requests that all flowers and notes are sent to Zion Lutheran Church.
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