Alven Perry Pedersen “Pete” was born at home on August 14, 1927 to Andrew Pedersen (Advending) and Clara Olive Peterson in Silverton, OR. The Pedersen family had 5 children: Genevieve (Richter), Marie (Andersen), Alven, Andrew and Betty (Weber). The family lived on a ranch (15056 Quall Road) where they worked one of the largest turkey hatcheries in the area. All the children went to the Evens Valley one-room schoolhouse, with 8 grades together and then to Silverton High School. Alven was halfway through high school when the family moved to Santa Ana, CA in September 1943.
They joined Trinity Lutheran Church and bought a house (806 N. Olive) across from the Santa Ana Stadium. Alven attended Santa Ana High School where he played varsity basketball and pitched for the baseball team. During the summers, Alven worked construction helping build El Toro Marine Base Morgue and the base apartments. After graduating in 1945, Alven went to Santa Ana College-when it was on Main St.- but quit after 2 weeks to go into the Army Air Corps.
Since Japan surrendered on Alven’s 18th birthday, he never saw active duty. He was shipped out to Okinawa to help rebuild the island. On the trip over they road out the 1945 tsunami. While stationed on the island, he built Quonset Huts and played lots of pinochle. During this time is when he started being called Pete.
After being discharged in 1947, Alven returned home to Santa Ana and started his contracting career as an apprentice for Al Kile. One day he attended a Walther League dance at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange where he met Dorothy Bertha Siemsen. They were married on March 31, 1951 in Dorothy’s parents’ house (2415 French St., Santa Ana) which eventually became their forever home.
From 1951-1955 they had 3 children: Ethelmarie, Robert and Suzanne. By the time Alven was 28, he was married, had 3 kids and built a tract of homes in Garden Grove. Later he would build another tract of homes and duplexes on the 300-block of S. Devon and Crest by Main Place Mall in Orange. Alven also left his mark at St. John’s Lutheran School and Church, where he was called to construct and repair many items. Later working years was spent remodeling kitchens and building patio covers all over Orange County.
Dorothy passed from pancreatic cancer in 1970 and Alven worked hard until he retired in 1982, at the age of 55. Alven remarried in 1990 to Betty Lou Emanuel until her passing in 2011.
Alven kept busy with his hobbies: hunting, fishing, playing cards and metal detecting. His mining hobby expanded into opening a store, Pedersen’s Metal Detectors, on Grand Ave in Santa Ana. He took many trips to England, Alaska and Australia to find gold and artifacts. Alven had a playful personality and was known as a jokester. Fun times followed him around with funny stories.
On February 11, 2024 Alven peacefully passed in his home, at the age of 96, from heart failure. He left behind 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Ethelmarie (Steve) Ames children Emily Ames, Amelia Ramirez (Ethan, Trinity & Kaiya) & Wendy Velazquez (Mya & Ella). Robert (Kathy) Pedersen children Andrew (Ezra, Eden & Simon), Annie & Chrissy (Liam, Ellie & Lily). Suzanne (Tim decd.) McDonald children Kelly, Patrick (Kayden & Cooper) & Matthew.
We will all miss him very much but are happy to have had so much time with him. We are comforted knowing that he is in heaven with his loving Lord and Savior, Jesus. Services will be held on Monday, February 26, 2024 at 10:00 AM in the Waverley Chapel, Fairhaven Cemetery, 1702 E. Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705. Viewing starts at 9:30 AM and burial will follow the service at St. John’s Cemetery, 2000 E. Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705.
Donations in his honor can be made to St. John’s Foster Care Program at stjohnsorange.org (Click ”Online Giving”, Memo: Foster Care Program/Alven Pedersen) or mail to 154 S. Shaffer St. Orange, CA 92866.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.5