Kenneth “Buford” Pedersen

Kenneth Duane Pedersen was born Aug. 26, 1945 to Virgil and Lillian (Rasmussen) Pedersen at the Greene County Hospital in Jefferson. The family lived at that time in rural Audubon County but soon moved to the farm west of Dana where he grew to adulthood.

Ken attended Dana Consolidated School until the school joined with Grand Junction and Rippey.  He graduated from East Greene High School in May, 1963.  He took pride in telling that he “worked his way through high school” playing cards at the gas station in Dana.  He was also a 4-H member for many years.

After school, Ken chose a career of electricity following in his Dad’s footsteps.  He enrolled in a correspondence course, studied hard and soon became employed by Ben Wuebker in Jefferson, then Shriver Construction and Sweeney, Manning & Sievert.  In 1985 he and several electricians founded Nikkel & Associates in Ames and he completed his career there until retirement in 2010.  He often traveled installing underground high voltage electrical systems for cities and municipalities.

 Ken’s hobbies included tractors, tractors and more tractors – he had many,  from full size, to garden tractors and pedal tractors.  He loved to work on them, take part in parades, the tractor rides and the “hunt” to find just the right one or the most unusual one to restore. Other interests included card playing, car racing, Hawkeye sports, deer hunting in Wisconsin and his 4:00 pm happy hour.

Ken was a big man with a heart of gold – he would give you his last dollar or the shirt he was wearing.  

On Jan. 24, 1969 he and Linda Adair were married in Princeton, Missouri.  To this union, two children were born, Angela  Ilene (Angel) and Robert Virgil.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, his younger brother, Jack and nephew Chad Kinzebach. He is survived by his wife, two children, Angel (Steve Zimmer), Robby,  three grandchildren – Samantha (Brandon) Schmidt, Ryan Hammel, and Rhett Hammel.  Four great grands – Maelee, Jadyn, Jordyn and Brenton Schmidt, two sisters, Mary Buchman of Gilbert and Jan ( Bill) Schmitt of Alleman, nieces & nephews, many cousins and a host of friends.

Visitation was held Dec. 8 at the Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson. The memorial service was held Dec. 9 at the History By Theatre. 

And, a note, I cannot put into words how much I will miss him, unconditional love…….  He always called me “Sis” so that’s the way I’m gonna sign this.  

Love, Sis

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Jefferson Bee & Herald
Address: 200 N. Wilson St.
Jefferson, IA 50129

Phone:(515) 386-4161