Irene "Sami" Marie Pedersen

Raised as a country girl in Bend, Oregon, Irene Marie Pedersen (better known as
Sami), of Prineville, Oregon, passed quietly in the early morning hours of June
13, 2025, at the age of 92 and a half. (That half a year was important to her.)

Sami’s parents, Vernita and Lloyd Parker, played a crucial role in solidifying her
faith in God and humanity. She grew up on a small farm with her sister
Jeanniene (known by others as Billie) amid plenty of daily chores, horse-riding
tricks, and piano lessons. Those lessons later blossomed into a love for the
accordion and polka parties.

Sami met the love of her life on a school bus in grade school. She would often
laugh about the boy who pulled her pigtails, and how she ended the incident by
introducing her lunchbox to that boy’s face, breaking his glasses. She married
that boy on February 24, 1952. Together, she and Willis Andrew Pedersen built a
quiet life, raising three boys, David Andrew, Donald Alan, and Douglas Anthony
(Brenda Pedersen). They did their best to go dancing whenever possible and
enjoyed time at South Twin Lake, just outside LaPine, Oregon.

Sami was a three-time cancer survivor. Always persevering through a
combination of prayer and healthy living.

Many in the community will remember her as the playground lady at Crooked
River Grade School. Others will recall how she helped them while volunteering
with St. Vincent de Paul. Her many childhood and lifelong friends have and still
do reminisce about an independent thinker who enjoyed music, dancing,
socializing, and time with friends. Whatever the memory, she was always kind,
caring, and entirely present.

She loved and adored her grandchildren, including Tabatha Nordlund (Kevin
Nordlund), Kimberly Pedersen (Willie Pangle), Parker Pedersen (Zoranna
Pedersen), and Evan Pedersen, as well as step-grandchildren David Pedersen,
Kenny Converse, and Houston Wilson. Great-grandchildren included Hunter
Nordlund, Ryker Pangle, Kyzen Pangle, Haizley Pangle, Huxton Pangle, as well as
step-great-grandchildren Destiny Pedersen, Skyler Pedersen, and Corbin
Converse. Her many nieces, nephews, and cousins were also a wonderful part of
her life.

Sami will always be remembered for her love of others, deep friendships,
passion for serving those in need, and unapologetic worrying.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, many family members,
including a grandchild and step-grandson, and a long list of others who went too
soon.

Mom, we will forever remember you, your caring smile, insistent hugs, and out-
of-the-blue phone calls. May your journey to God be swift, and your husband,
gone these many years, greet you with open arms.

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