Wilhelmina (Willie) Pedersen

Longtime Palmer resident Willie Pedersen, 94, passed away April 15, 2015.

Willie was born Feb. 25, 1921, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Oshkosh, Wisconsin to William A and Emma M. (Winter) Luebke. She attended Oshkosh High School and obtained her teaching degree from University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Teachers College.

After graduating college her first teaching position was in a one-room schoolhouse in Readfield, Wisconsin, where she taught grades first through eighth. Willie went to work at the Baraboo Ordinance Facility in 1946 making bombs for the war effort.

With plans to travel around the world she boarded the Alaska Steamship the “SS Denali” for a teaching position in Hoonah. After one year in Hoonah, Willie arrived in Palmer Sept. 6, 1948, and the next day started teaching school with the Palmer Independent School District where she taught many grades until she retired in 1972.

On Oct. 8, 1949, Willie married Everett “Pete” Pedersen. They moved to Independence Gold Mine where they lived in the Foreman’s quarters until 1950. After the mine shut down they moved to Palmer and bought one of the original ARRC houses located on South Bailey Street where Willie lived until 2004.

Willie and Pete bought the Palmer Arms Apartments in 1968 and they operated it until 1986 when they retired. Having no garage and being snowed-in one to many times Willie finally agreed to move to Mountain Rose Estates where she enjoyed having the “best view” of Pioneer Peak.

Willie enjoyed skiing at Little Susitna Lodge and Independence Mine and later hiking into Arch Angel and Snowbird Mines. Willie eventually continued her adventures by traveling overseas and enjoying many cruises. At 58, she rafted the Colorado River with friends in 1972.

Willie was a member of Pioneers of Alaska, Women’s Igloo 11, Friends of the Palmer Library, Palmer Historical Society, and St Johns Lutheran Church. As part of her community service Willie enjoyed working as a docent at the Colony House Museum for the past 18 years, writing Thank You Notes for the Friends of the Palmer Library and being the St. Johns Church Historian for many years. Her greatest pastime was at the sewing machine or with the Ladies church group making quilts that were distributed worldwide.

Mom’s greatest gifts to the Valley were the teaching of many students in Palmer and the making of quilts to be given to those in need.

Preceding her in death by her husband; Everett “Pete” Pedersen; brother, William Luebke; and her parents.

Surviving are her children, William (Vicki) Pedersen of Anchorage, and Kris (Frank) Knapp of Palmer; grandchildren, Richell (Jason) Carmichael, Richard (Ashley) Knapp, Kevin (Jamie) Koslosky and Deon (Tavis) Macmillan; great grandchildren, Jackson and Elijah Carmichael, Kennedy Knapp and Alexis Koslosky; and many nieces and nephews in Wisconsin and Kansas.

A memorial service is at 1:30 p.m., April 25 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Palmer with reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations in Willie’s memory be made to the Friends of the Palmer Library, 655 S. Valley Way, Palmer, AK 99645.