David Eugene Pederson age 62 of Westbrook passed away Sunday, April 13, 2014. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 17 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook. Visitation is 4:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Westbrook Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Burial is in the Westbrook Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent via www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
David Eugene Pederson, born January 29, 1952, was the son of Steffen Paul and Irene Sophie (Norem) Pederson. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook. After graduating from Westbrook High School in 1970, he briefly attended Southwest State University, Marshall. He then drove a milk truck for a hauler based out of Wabasso, where he met and later married Peggy Risse, to which four children were blessed. He worked for his parents on the family farm northeast of Westbrook, and later moved his family west of Lowry and continued working for his parents. In 1975, he moved back to Westbrook and worked for Riddell Construction until 1981, when he started a construction business with his brother, Jim. He then continued work as a building contractor, with various partners throughout the years. On September 9, 2006, David married Beverly Breiland. Together they were active in church and had a great love for their grandchildren. At gatherings, Dave was at his best playing with the grandkids. A good listener, he made each feel important, investing time to get to know them over a board game, cards, or, most likely, imagination play or an impromptu song at the piano. David loved music, and was a member and vocalist of several rock & roll bands, starting in 1975, including Split Image, Rock & Roll Review, and The Mixx. A gifted musician, he was a self-taught guitar and keyboard player. His passion and remarkable talent for music was apparent to anyone who attended a show.
David is survived by his wife, Bev; his children: Jenny (Mark) Takle, Kristin (Troy) Appel, Nathan (Hannah) Pederson, Sarah (Joey) Morey, and Alicia Duffy; grandchildren: Madison, Makenna, and Nolan Takle, Kalea and Kiara Appel, Alana, Brynlee, and Kallyn Morey, Conor Brooks and Amee Drake; siblings: Ted (Phyllis) Pederson, John (Sharon) Pederson, Jim (Linda) Pederson, Linda (Michael) Johnson, Karen Karger, and Dan (Lori) Pederson; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents.
So sorry to the family for there loss,will be praying for u
To the family of David: Dave was a beloved classmate of the class of 1970. He will be dearly missed by all. I was fortunate to know Dave, and he did work for my parents, Bob and Dolores Schmitt in Dovray. I was lucky enough to hear him play in the bands several times, and he was fabulous. Always a nice guy, and interested in what a person had to say. I am so sorry to hear of his death, and only got to meet Beverly once, but happy for him to have so much family that loved him until the end. Please accept my most sincere condolences and hugs from Florida. A former classmate of Dave’s, Pam Schmitt Bastien, formerly of Dovray.
What a truly sad occurance. Thank you for taking the time out of your grief Bev, to let me know. My heart goes out to you and to all the family. Dave was simply a great guy; so down to earth and real. We were very close in college and then lost contact for many years. It was my pleasure to hook back up with him in 2011 on a trip to Minnesota when we got to relive old times over dinners and drinks. He brought Bev with him and so I got to meet his very nice wife. Unfortunately, she had to listen to a couple of old geezers reminesce but hung in there like a trooper. Although my time with Dave was many years ago, they were good times and he will always live in my memories. Can I say my claim to fame was introducing him to the guitar? Having seen him play in bands a couple times though, it became quite clear that the student had become the master. May you rest in peace old friend.
My deepest sympathy goes to all of the Pederson Familes. Dave has always been a great friend to my family. My dad thought the world of him (having him and Jim as one of his pall bearers) and the friendship he had with my brothers will always be a special part of their lives. My memories of Dave consisted to listening to him sing in the bands back in the days. Boy, those were the days!!! God Bless you all. Dave will be missed, but never forgotten.
Bev and family: I am so sad for your loss. As Mike points out Dave was a great guy. Although our time at college in Marshall was brief, we became great friends and shared many adventures during the following decades. Then as we started our families our focus changed and we became more home focused. I had the opportunity to enjoy watching/listening to him play in his bands as well as learn a few licks from him. However, my guitar always sounded better when he was playing it. You will be remembered old friend.
With Sympathy in this time of sadness to David’s family. May you find comfort and support during this difficult time. Very, very sorry & heartbroken to hear this.
Truly a Great Guy. It was always a joy to be around Dave. He had the best outlook on life and I already miss his laughter. Fond memories of him. Many thanks for that.
Rest of Peace David. You’re going to be missed BIG TIME!
To the Pederson Family:
Please accept our sincerest condolences on the unfortunate loss of Dave. Dave was a great guy who taught me a lot. Dave’s sense of humor got us through the day with a smile on our faces many a time. He was one tough guy too. He once shot a nail through the webbing on his hand between his thumb and forefinger and after promptly prying the nail up and out he continued working like nothing was wrong! I was fortunate enough to see Dave in November and as always he was smiling and joking around. Dave will be missed by us and all that knew him.
God Bless you Dave and your entire family.
I am saddened to hear the news of Davids passing. I am so sorry for your loss!
Bev & family:
I am so sorry to hear of Davids’ passing. Growing up together and
enjoying football and wrestling together we shared a lot in common.
I always enjoyed seeing him and sharing the memories from those old
days whenever I would get back to Westbrook. God’s peace be with you
old friend, I and the community of Westbrook will miss you!
Dear Bev, Daves’ family, friends & the Mixx,
I’ve watched Dave play with my dad for over 20 years. Pretty much grew up watching my dad gig, but didn’t notice the fun he had doing it until I got older. Over the last decade The Mixx often talked about hanging it up and had more than a few “last gigs”, which quickly became a punch line….truth said, they all loved doing what they did and couldn’t officially call it quits. My brother Shawn and I helped them unload and pack up gear a few times and it became painfully obvious the old guys couldn’t quit because of the fun they had, and the fun they had making fun of each other. A brotherhood like that is something that probably only good friends and band mates can understand.
I will deeply miss seeing the Mixx doing their thing….watching them try to screw each other up in the middle of a chorus, laughing at each other, playing off key, whatever it took to get each other laughing all while keeping the masses dancing and loving them. I can picture Dave, the magician in the corner tearing off tasty licks and pouring it all out to hit the high notes just out of range until the veins in his neck bulged. Even letting a wanna-be guitarist like me play a couple songs while he stayed in the shadows and covered all my mistakes with that classic smirk on his face. I can’t hear Head East without thinking of Dave anchoring his corner of the stage.
God bless the memory of Dave…a good man stolen from us too soon.