Raymond James "Whitie" Pedersen

This information is posted here as a service to our community. The information was taken from public sources rather than from the family directly.

Raymond James "Whitie" Pedersen, 85, of Helena, Mont., and formerly of La Grande died March 13 at his home. A Mass of Christian burial will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at Saint Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in East Helena. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Great Falls, Mont.

Mr. Pedersen was born July 14, 1918, to Carl C. and Anna C. Pedersen in Howard County, Neb. He graduated from high school in Dannebrog, Neb., in 1935. He attended St. Paul Business College and married Kathryn Ellen O'Meara on Sept. 24, 1941, in Eddyville, Neb.

He served in the Navy during World War II and worked for the Social Security Administration, receiving their highest award, the Commissioner's Citation, in 1975. He retired in 1981 after 40 years. The couple lived in La Grande for three years before moving first to Great Falls and then to Helena.

He enjoyed working with wood, yard work, music and baseball.

Survivors include children and their spouses, Marilyn and Tim Taylor of Bremerton, Wash., Roger Pedersen of Helena, Randy and Lisa Pedersen of Butte, Mont., Dr. Michael Pedersen of Cannon Falls, Minn., Ken and Barb Pedersen of Boise, Mark and Rose Pedersen of Great Falls, Larry and Louann Pedersen of Lewistown, Mont., Paul and Bernadette Pedersen of East Helena, Kathleen and Robert Dartnell of Cherry Hill, N.J.; 20 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Marguerite Pedersen of St. Paul Neb., and other relatives. His wife and a brother, Stanley Pedersen, died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the St. Peter's Hospital Foundation, 2475 Broadway, Helena 59601.