Mark Grant Pederson

Mark Grant Pederson, son of Denny and Cheryl Pederson, father of Reid and Graham Pederson, and brother of Neil Pederson, passed away unexpectedly on April 21, 2026. He was born on July 4, 1981, in Waterloo, Iowa. Mark's very early years were lived with his family in Cedar Falls and later as they moved to Des Moines where Mark lived throughout his lifetime.

As a preschooler he began forming friendships that would last his entire life. He attended Hanawalt Elementary, Merrill Middle School, and Roosevelt High School. He loved his Des Moines community and was a homebody who got homesick after three days!

Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, it took him and his brother no time at all to start up a mowing business. Mark carried it forward, eventually naming it Lawn Ranger Lawn Care Inc. His heart and soul remained with his landscaping and full lawn service business. One would see his Lawn Ranger logo service trucks all around town.

Mark enjoyed the camaraderie and fun of working alongside his four dear friends to create a local and later international phenomenon called Bacon Fest, an 18-year-old celebration of all things bacon! He also loved the Denver Broncos, the Chicago BlackHawks games with his sons, a good BBQ, entertaining and gathering everyone together for his Fourth of July Birthday Parties, and big family holiday celebrations. He just generally loved life and always had special ways of showing his fun side.

But far surpassing all of that, he loved his family, his beloved sons Reid and Graham. They meant the world to him. He always said that they definitely were his best accomplishment in his whole life. He was proud beyond measure of his two boys. Mark was a loving son to Denny and Cheryl Pederson and loving brother to Neil. Mark and Neil shared a host of mutual lifetime friends, the "through thick and thin" kind of friends.

Survivors include his parents, Denny and Cheryl Pederson, his sons Reid and Graham Pederson, brother Neil Pederson (Natalie), nephews Knox and Jake Pederson of Bozeman, Montana, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins dear to him.

Funeral services will be held at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1115 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, at 11:00 AM Monday, April 27th. Also, live stream at https://www.stmarkwdm.org/church-online

Any memorials may be made to Variety Club or St. Mark Lutheran Church. Or plant a tree in his honor.