Dale Pedersen

Dale Allen Pedersen, 75, of Waukee, IA passed away on November 24, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with cancer compounded by a recent stroke. His wife, Kathy, was by his side.

Dale was born in the office of Dr. H. Frank Givens of West Bend, IA on December 8,1949 weighing 9 lbs. 10 oz., the second child of Alvin and Delva Pedersen. He was a 1968 graduate of Algona High School where his passion for sports led him to excel as a pitcher on the baseball team and an all-conference first team dead eye shooting guard for the basketball team. After high school graduation Dale attended Wartburg College in Waverly Iowa, where he played one season of baseball and was a member of Zeta Fraternity.

He graduated with a BA in Business from Wartburg College in 1972, moved to Cedar Rapids, IA and started working in the insurance industry. During his career he earned industry professional designations of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Senior Claim Law Associate (SCLA). In 1986 he also received the General Manager's Quality Award with The Hartford.

Dale was married in 1976 in Omaha, NE to his first wife, Sue. During that marriage Dale was super involved in youth sports and activities for Sue's boys, Chris and Jeff. Dale and Sue divorced in 1986 after having moved to Houston, TX in 1982.

Dale's move to Houston proved to be fortuitous as he met the love of his life, Kathy House, at an insurance event years later. They married on March 4, 1988, in Galveston, TX. Their careers took them from Houston to Tulsa to Dallas. During those times they hosted many Pedersen holidays where Dale always kept the festivities lively. In 2005 they retired and began planning for their second act. In 2006 they moved their belongings into a storage shed and bought a fifth wheel RV. Over the next three years they traveled across the USA full time in their "rig", making many friends and creating life-long memories.

In 2009 Dale and Kathy bought a house in Algona where they selflessly managed the care of Dale's beloved mother, Delva. They enjoyed their years living in Algona reconnecting with old friends and making new. Their final move was to Waukee, IA in 2017 where they could be closer to family.

Dale was a goofy, fun-loving guy who would do anything for a laugh. His silly sayings, self-deprecating antics, stories and other "constant nonsense" will forever make us laugh and smile. His hobbies included playing cards, watching football games, golf, singing and writing poems for those he loved. Our family will miss him terribly.

Dale is survived by his wife of 37 years, Kathy Pedersen; siblings Wayne (Barb) Pedersen of Ames, IA and Linda (Barry) Martin of Dallas, TX; brothers in-law Michael (Laurel) Danforth of Wayne, ME and Peter Danforth of N. Monmouth, ME; nieces and nephews Chad (Jessica) Pedersen, Laura (Taylor) Mouser, Anna (Walker) Hobby, Brady Martin, Meghann Danforth and Katie Danforth; great nieces and nephews Sophia Pedersen, Charlie and Riley Mouser and Hunter and Will Hobby.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents Alvin and Delva Pedersen; sister Dianna Pedersen; parents in law Dick and Beverly Danforth; sister-in-law Jeri Heath.

A celebration of life will be planned for a future date.

If you would like to memorialize Dale, please donate to: Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741-2327.