Dolores Elizabeth Pederson

Dolores Elizabeth (Merfeld) Pederson, 89, of Onalaska passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at her home on Thursday, April 12, 2018.

Dolores was born on Feb. 17, 1929, in La Crosse to Matthew and Clara (Strasser) Merfeld. She graduated from Aquinas High School in 1947. On April 7, 1953, she was joined in marriage to the love of her life, Carrol “Pete” Pederson at St. John’s Catholic Church in La Crosse. Dolores and Pete loved to dance, and they are together again enjoying a spin around the dance floor in heaven.

Faith and family were always priorities for Dolores. She was an aspiring artist, who chose to care for her family instead of attending college to pursue a career in art. She helped care for her siblings after the death of her mother, raised her own family, and cared for her husband, Carrol, during his long illness. Dolores was a talented seamstress and sewed wedding dresses for her family and friends. She cooked countless meals as a cook at St. Patrick’s grade school, for funerals, and for her large family. She supported her friends and family during hardships and devotedly encouraged her children and grandchildren at their sporting events and numerous other activities. Dolores was an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and attended mass almost daily.

Dolores is survived by her children, Gregory (Lynette) of Galesville, Beth Sonsalla of Trempealeau, Karen (Lee) Carhart of Galesville, Timothy of La Crosse, Jeffrey (Nancy) of La Crosse, Patrick (Beth) of Holmen, Joseph (Angela) of Onalaska, and Susan Blackwell of La Crosse; her grandchildren, Derek (Brooke), Erin (Tom Schultz), Karli, Jacob (fiancée Marissa Hoeft), and Brady (fiancée Jolyssa Olson) Pederson, Lucas (Nichole), Benjamin (Marie), Casey, Daniel and Katelin Sonsalla, Molly (Adam Mashak) and Nathan (Alicia) Carhart, Abbey (Andrew) Harlos and Andrea (Jacob Pyka) Pederson, Lindsey (Andy) Hibbs, Lauren (Andrew) Reinhart, and Sam Pederson, Taylor and Nicole Pederson, Andrew (Kara) Pederson, Alyssa (Stuart) Britson, and Evan (Haylea) Pederson, Jesse and Quincy (Taylor Harrell) Blackwell, Vanessa (Ethan) Stall, Calvin, Simeon and Synclare Mavin, along with 13 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her siblings, Richard (Marlene) Merfeld, Joan (Ronald) Faas, Jeannette Delagrave, Patricia (Richard) Grathen, Carol Tanke, Michael (Cheryl) Merfeld, Kathleen “Susie” (Dave) Molledahl; her brother-in-law K. Don (Gina) Pederson, and sister-in-law Julie Ott (Reggie Wojahn).

Dolores was preceded in death by her husband, Carrol; her parents; parents-in-law, Kenneth and Vernelle (Crogan) Pederson; sisters, Lorraine Severson and Marlene Robertson; brothers-in-law, James Squier, Willard Tanke, Jerry Severson, Gene Delagrave, and Anthony Pederson; sisters-in-law, Monna Dent and infant Leone; sons-in-law, Orlando Blackwell and Thomas Sonsalla; and infant grandchildren, Matthew, Mark and Adam Pederson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 17th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Onalaska with Monsignor Steven Kachel officiating. Burial will follow in the Catholic Cemetery La Crosse. Friends and family may call at the church on Monday, April 16th from 4 to 7 p.m., with a rosary to be recited at 4 p.m., and again Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to the time of services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.