Emma Pedersen

Emma L. Quade Pedersen, 73, of Springfield, Mo., passed away peacefully Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009, at her home after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family.

She was born Dec. 13, 1935, in Gordonville. She and Richard L. Pedersen were married March 16, 1957.

Emma resided in New Lenox, Ill., before moving to Springfield. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and sister, and a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church in Springfield. She loved spending time with her family, cooking, going to flea markets and spending long hours in her garden.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Frieda Gerecke Quade; infant son, Richard Lee; and nine siblings.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Richard; a daughter, Donna Vittori of Clever, Mo.; three grandchildren, Angela M. Lindelof (Brian) of Clever, Jason Kilcoyne of Wilmington, Ill., Benjamin Vittori of Clever; two great-grandchildren, Abbey and Lily; four sisters, Margaret Burnett, Naomi Suzuki (Art), Magdeline Carter, Rose Quade; two brothers, Norman (Bernice) and Paul (Dee); in-laws, Dorothy Luman (Bob), William Pedersen, Lorraine Pedersen; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all friends and family for all the love and support and an extra-special thank you to Alicia and Marsha for their kind and gentle ways, Sharon for all the special dinners she cooked and to Hospice Compassus, especially to Pam for her compassionate care, Denise for her homemaker services, and an extra-special thank you to her sister Mag and niece Liz.

Her family rejoices that she has gone home to be with her savior.

The funeral was held Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church.

Walnut Lawn Funeral Home in Springfield was in charge of arrangements.

The family requests that any donations be made to The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, 10 W. Broadway, Suite 700, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 or www.cholangiocarcinoma.org.