| Sharon K. Pedersen |

Sharon chose to be cremated. Her life was celebrated on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the American Legion Club in St. Paul. The Reverend Nicole Schwartz-Eck led the service.

Recorded music included “Jealous of the Angels” by Donna Taggart, “Monsters” by Georgia Cone, and “Forever and For Always” by Shania Twain.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting Sharon’s family.

Sharon was born on April 24, 1950, at Loup City, the daughter of Leo and Florence “Tina” (Ziola) Gappa. She grew up in the Paplin area and graduated from Elba High School in 1968.

She was united in marriage to Dennis R. Pedersen on April 8, 1972, at Paplin. The couple lived in Elba until moving to Polk in 2002.

Sharon had worked at the Howard County Medical Center in St. Paul and with St. Francis Home Health of Grand Island. After moving to Polk, she continued working at area nursing homes and assisted living facilities, including Mahoney House in York, until fully retiring.

She is survived by her husband, Dennis, of Polk; son, Luke Pedersen of Clarks; daughter and son-in-law, April and Jim Hitz of Norfolk; fifteen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Renee Jonak of Ashton, Deloris and Jim Stanczyk of Ashton, Maxine Lewandowski of St. Paul, and Linda and Jerry Polski of Elba; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter-in-law, Lisa Pedersen; brother, Howard Gappa; infant brother, LeRoy Gappa; infant sister, JoAnn Gappa; and brother-inlaw, Delbert Jonak.

Condolences and memories may be shared with Sharon’s family by visiting www. petersfuneralhome.net.

The Sherman County Times | September 23, 2026