Wade Frederick Pedersen

Wade F. Pedersen, age 72 of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota died on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel. Visitation will continue on Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye from 10:00 am until 11:00 am.  A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 11:00 am. The clergy will be Pastor Grant Fischer. Military honors will be provided by Sleepy Eye Honor Guard. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Wade Frederick Pedersen, the son of Wallace and Helen (Weidenheft) Pedersen, was born on June 1, 1952, in St. Peter, Minnesota. At the age of 8 years old, Wade and his family moved to Sleepy Eye where he attended and graduated from Sleepy Eye Public School. While in high school, Wade excelled in sports, especially baseball, football, and basketball. Following graduation, Wade served his country in the United States Navy where he was honorably discharged. He attended Hutchinson Vo-Tech where he learned welding.

Through mutual friends, Wade met Susan Sandmann, and they were united in marriage on May 1, 1975. They were blessed with their son, Matt. Over the years, Wade was the lead guitar player for four local bands, most recently with “Heidi and the Good Ole Boys.” He also shared his gift of music while playing for church services at Trinity Lutheran Church. Wade worked for 40 years at Del Monte in Sleepy Eye. After retirement in 2018, he was able to spend more time hunting and fishing.

Wade is survived by his wife, Susan Pedersen; son, Matt Pedersen; family members, Donnie (Jolynn Erikson) Olson, Dillon (Josie) Olson, and Diane Olson; in-laws, Deb (Tom) Moldaschel and Warren (Kathy) Sandmann; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Helen Pedersen; stepmother, Dorothy Pedersen; family member, Dennis Olson; and friend, Ted Mason.