Mike Pederson

Michael “Mike”, “Pedey”, “Mikey”,” Hal” Pederson, 52 of La Crosse cruised into paradise after LIVING with lung cancer for 3 years. 

 Mike was born and raised in La Crosse.  He graduated from Aquinas in 1978 and was a member of the 1977 state champion cross country team. 

On October 15, 1988 he married Teresa Golz and together they built a life of much love and laughter with their beautiful children, Joe and Morgan.  He was a very proud father and reveled in his children’s accomplishments.  He was a really cool dad who was loved and admired by Joe and Morgan’s friends.

 

Mike graduated from WWTC in 2005 with a degree in Supervisory Management and has worked for the city of La Crosse Water Department for 22 years where he was a member of Western Wisconsin Professionals, Wisconsin Water Association Distribution Committee, and Wisconsin Rural Water.

He was a dedicated employee who was always positive, conscientious and fair.  He truly cared about his employees and the City. 

 

 

Mike was passionate about any activity he participated in:

 whether he was behind the wheel of a stock car, in the condo at Little Beaver or on softball fields across the Midwest.

His other activities included snowmobiling, downhill skiing, boating, dipping into Pete’s Lounge, and building fires. 

 

Mike belonged to Mary, Mother of the Church parish where he was an active member of the men’s club and was recently honored as MMOC Man of the Year.  He was a proud member of the Aquinas Booster Club and a past member of the Onalaska JayCees.  Because of his involvement in his church, school and community, he was honored as 2012 Rex of La Crosse Mardi Gras.

 

Mike was the most sincere, selfless man with an infectious smile and a caring heart.  He will continue to be an inspiration to his family who include Teresa, Joe and Morgan,  His parents, Faith Pederson, Pete and Gina Pederson; brothers, Eric(Kerry) and Ken;  His father and mother in law, Vearn and Mary Golz and his “outlaws”, Susan, Cathy ,Steve,  Wayne and Sue .  He was “Uncle Mighty Mike” to Andrea, Tara (Dan), Brook, Lewis (Melissa) Kori, Aaron, Kyle, Sara, Domonique, Sam, Andy, Emily, Dylan, Hailey, Maya and Zoe.

 

Extended families that also loved and will miss Mike are the Beachcomber family, Aquinas family, and the La Crosse Mardi Gras family.

 

He will be celebrating in paradise with his brother Brian, brother in law Tom, grandparents, aunts, uncles and many friends. 

 

Because of the extreme love and care given by the staff at Gundersen Lutheran, Mike was able to enjoy each day to the fullest.  He always believed that he had cancer, cancer didn’t have him.  Special thanks to Dr. Kurt Oettel, Dr. Patrick Conway, and Eileen Williams.  You will always be a part of our family.

 

A funeral mass to celebrate Mike’s life will be held at 4:00 pm on Sunday, February 3^rd at Mary, Mother of the Church, 2006 Weston St, La Crosse, Wis.  Friends and family may call from 12:30 pm until time of mass. 

Mike has requested that attire be tropical cruisewear, Mardi Gras costume or softball uniforms. 

A Super Bowl party in honor of Mike will be held after the mass at All Star Lanes Banquet Hall, 4735 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse.

 

In lieu of flowers Memorials are preferred and will be used to honor Mike’s memory.

 

Remember the F’s – Faith, Family, Friends, “Ph”ysicians , “Ph”armaceuticals and Forever in our hearts!

 

“EVERY DAY IS A GIFT”