Dennis D. Pederson

Dennis D. Pederson, age 89, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at a local care center after a long series of disabilities.  Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown.  Michael Pederson will officiate.  The memorial service will be live-streamed via our website.  The family wishes to have memorials made out to the Salvation Army and or the Boys and Girls Club. 

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown prior to the memorial service starting at 9:00 a.m.

Dennis was born on February 24, 1935, in Badger, SD, to William and Emma (Holmgaarrd) Pederson.  He attended school in Badger, Sioux Falls, and Arlington, graduating from Arlington High School in 1953.  Dennis excelled in athletics such as basketball, football, track, baseball, and boxing.  Dennis continued his education at Augustana College where he played basketball and various speech activities. 

In 1954, Dennis married Marilyn Thue in Arlington, SD.  The couple had four sons prior to her death in a car accident.  After his long rehabilitation, he and the boys moved to California where he meets and later married Lafaun Hubbard and Dennis adopted her son.  Dennis and Lafaun had two more children and the family moved to Watertown, SD.  They divorced in 1983. 

Dennis worked 38 years for the telephone company.  Dennis married Judith Groeneveld DeSaix in 1988 and Judith’s daughter joined the Pederson’s.  He was active in the Elks, Cornerstone Church, bowling league, pool league, pro football season memberships, fishing, hunting, golf, and real estate. 

Dennis is survived by his wife of 36 years, Judy, of Watertown; his sons, Mark (Carol) Pederson, of WA, Mike (Sandi) Pederson, of Watertown, Daniel (Barb) Pederson of IA, David (Jenny) Pederson, of IA, Craig (Kristy) Pederson, of MN, and Curt (Janell) Pederson, of MN; daughters Jen (Tony) Rosenberg, of IA, and Maren (Dave) DeSaix, of MN; one brother, Daris of CA; 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Dennis was preceded in death by his first wife, Marilyn; parents; brothers Delvin (Doris) Pederson, and Dean (Nellie) Pederson; and sister-in-law Kari Pederson.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dennis D. Pederson, please visit our floral store.