Melvin C. Pederson, age 92, of Hayward, died Saturday, January 12 at his home, in the comfort of hospice and surrounded by family, his last hours spent looking out of his favorite picture window in the home he built, lived in and loved since 1948—"counting his blessings"—as he said every day of his life.

Melvin Carl was born March 25, 1920 in Veblen, S. D., the son of Nils and Bertha (Voight) Pederson who moved to Alberta, Canada where Mel grew up as a boy, attending a small rural school with eight other children. His six siblings were all born in Canada and his parents farmed there until the Great Depression took its toll and they had to leave farming.

The family moved to Hayward in 1937 and Mel worked on the family farm and logged in the Town of Round Lake, in the days—as Mel would often recall— when a sawmill was powered by a steam engine and a horse pulled logs.
In 1940 Mel went to work for Howard Tiffany, owner of Quality Dairy, where he drove a truck, picking up milk from the farmers. That year he bought his first car—a Model T.

In 1942 Mel joined the U. S. Army, serving at various military installations in Washington, Oregon and California. While he was in the army he met Ferne Fosterling at a USO dance. They married on January 15, 1944 in Ventura, Calif., had five children, and were together 51 years until Ferne's death in 1995.
While in California, Mel was one of 150 men chosen from the army ranks to act in a movie titled "This is the Army," an Irving Berlin production featuring Ronald Reagan and other stars. Mel and his comrades rehearsed for four weeks at Warner Brothers studios in Hollywood. Their part was in the grand finale of the film, performing on a stage while singing "This Time is the Last Time."

Mel then joined the 96th Infantry Division and was assigned overseas duty to prepare for the Invasion of the Philippines and the forcing of the Japanese off the islands. The battles were fierce and Mel contracted an intestinal disease called Schistosomiasis, landing him in various Army hospitals. The war ended in November 1945 and Mel received an honorable discharge.
In September 1948 Mel and Ferne moved back to Hayward and Mel went to work for Northern Lakes Cooperative in the grocery department where he worked until his political appointment to Postmaster in 1967, which ended with the next Presidential election.

He then became a salesman for Sykes Meat Company out of Cameron until he joined the Emergency Medical Services Program as Executive Director for the eight counties of Northwest Wisconsin, organizing critically-needed ambulance services, training programs, and communications systems to trauma centers.
In the meantime, he and Ferne, along with Carol and Dave Stark, bought the Hayward Liquor Store on Main Street, established a successful business and later sold it to Northern Lakes Cooperative, where he continued to work part-time in the liquor department until his retirement.
As varied and wide-ranged as Mel's careers were, he still committed his time and talents to his local community: Hayward National Guard, VFW, Town of Round Lake Board, Hayward Community Schools Board of Education, Director of Jump River Electric Cooperative Board of Directors. His energy was unflagging.

Mel is survived by his son Kenny (Lori) Pederson; daughters Patty (Jerry) Palicki, Carol (Dave) Stark, Barb (Steve) Hand; son-in-law Marshall Miller; 14 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; brothers Gordon (Florence) Pederson, Fred (Esther) Pederson, Ted (Vivian) Pederson; sisters Delores Alexander, Helen Shiley, Helga Nordin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Ferne, daughter Kathy Miller, and great grandson Nicky Miller.
A Memorial Service is scheduled Friday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. at Pineview Funeral Service in Hayward. Rev. Andrea Wittwer will officiate with music provided by Deanna Lancaster and Kathy Naylor.

Military honors will be accorded by the Hayward Veterans Council and State of Wisconsin Military Honors Team.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17 and again one hour prior to the Friday service at the funeral home, beginning at 1 p.m.

A private burial service at Spider Lake Cemetery will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Regional Hospice, 15910W Company Lake Road, Hayward 54843 or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kan. 66675.

Obituary written by Kathy Hanson