JoAnn Pedersen

JoAnn Pedersen, 78, of Fort Collins, Colorado passed away at McKee Medical Hospice on April 27, 2016. JoAnn was born on September 16, 1937 in Elgin, Illinois to Kenneth George and Verna Crossman (Payne) Youngs. She was a graduate St. Edwards High and Elgin College, both in Elgin, Illinois. At the age of 20 she married Gerry Pedersen on August 23, 1958 at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Elgin, Illinois. She and Gerry wintered in Palm Desert, California for many years. While in Palm Desert, JoAnn served on the Board for the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center. Gerry and JoAnn moved to Fort Collins in 1973. This is where Gerry would begin the Pedersen Toyota Car Dealership, which still runs strong today. JoAnn was the Vice President of Pedersen Automotive Group. She also had talents in their advertising and marketing. JoAnn always had a keen eye; she and a friend started an interior decoration business called Elegant Interiors, which she took great passion in creating beautiful home interiors. Gerry and JoAnn were members of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Fort Collins since the day they moved. JoAnn enjoyed playing tennis and golf as well as bridge and mahjong. JoAnn is survived by her husband, Gerry; sons Mark (Kristi) Pedersen and David Pedersen; daughter Laurie Pedersen; sister Donna Marie Youngs; and three grandchildren, Kyle Wagner, Ryan Wagner and Leihoku Pedersen. Her parents preceded her in death. A visitation will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2016 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Allnutt Drake Chapel in Fort Collins. The funeral mass will be held on Monday, May 2, 2016 at 2:00 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 300 West Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521. Interment will be held at Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins, CO. Memorial contribution may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Children’s Hospital Colorado, in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80526.