Eva May Pederson

Eva May Pederson, 89, of Topeka, died Friday, May 28, 2010 at Rossville Healthcare.

She was born February 9, 1921 in Hutchinson, the daughter of Ivan and Grace McClain Payne. She was raised on a small farm north of Kingman and later on the Ira Sutton Payne farm near Cleveland, KS. She graduated from Kingman High School in 1939.

She married George Dall Pederson of Turon at Murdock, KS on June 5, 1943.
Mrs. Pederson was a devoted wife and mother. Following her husband, whose job was with the Veterans Administration Hospital, she enjoyed living in Downey, IL; Richmond, VA; Leavenworth, KS and, since 1980, Topeka. A devoted Methodist, she sought out a new church with every move.

She was a gifted homemaker who was skilled at crochet, cooking and plant care. She enjoyed painting classes at Jan's Tole Shop and excelled at painting landscapes, rustic scenes, barns and wild birds. Her other talents included letter-writing, keeping family contacts and maintaining many lifelong friendships.

Eva Pederson was preceded in death by her husband, George Pederson, and her sister, Mildred Payne Pederson. Survivors include a daughter, Linda Carlson of Rossville, former son-in-law, Craig Carlson of Topeka, and Mildred's two children and their spouses: Ronald and Cynthia Pederson of Mound City, MO and Sharon and Jim Rice of Chanute as well as many other nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Thursday, June 3, 2010 at the Lowman United Methodist Church, 4000 SW Drury Lane, Topeka, KS 66604. Mrs. Pederson will lie in state after 3 p.m., Wednesday at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, where the family will receive friends from 6:30-8 p.m. Graveside services will be at 3:30 p.m., Thursday at the Walnut Hill Cemetery, Kingman, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to Lowman United Methodist Church and VFW Unmet Needs Program. Family condolences should be sent c/o Cynthia Pederson 22976 Hwy C Mound City, MO 64470.