Virginia (Hays) Pedersen

Virginia (Hays) Pedersen, 88, of West Richland, passed away Friday, November 4, 2016 in Richland, Washington surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Virginia was born, July 23, 1928, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.  She was the daughter of Lemuel Leonard Hays and Ann (Geigel) Hays. Virginia was raised on a farm North of Mitchell, Nebraska with her sisters Kathryn and Joan. She went to Mitchell High School and graduated in 1946. She then attended Scottsbluff Junior College from 1946 through 1948.  After graduating she then began teaching at Sunflower, North of Scottsbluff from 1948 to 1951.  She also taught school at Wheatland, Wyoming from 1951 to 1953.  In 1953 she married Charles Pedersen on June 13, 1953 at the Gering Methodist Church. They were married 53 years until his death in 2006.

She is survived by her children, son James (Olive) Pedersen of Prairieville, LA; daughters, Linda (Steve) McClaine of Moscow, ID, Laura Pedersen of Richland, WA, and Laureen Pedersen of Fernley, NV.; sisters, Kathryn Kaman, Joan Johns, brothers-in-law Roy (Helen) Pedersen, Harold (Candy) Pedersen, Lee Pedersen, and sister-in-law Judy Pedersen. She had numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles Pedersen, brothers-in-law, Clyde Johns, Bruce Kaman, Joe Pedersen, Carl Bissell, and sister-in-law Jean Bissell.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at Sunset Memorial Gardens.