Richard Pedersen Obituary

Richard E Pedersen Sr. passed away peacefully on September 9th in his home of over 60 years at the age of 94.

Richard, "Dick", as he was known, was born in Iowa to Arthur Pedersen and Agnes (Kuhlmann) Pedersen in 1931 and was the 4th oldest of 9 children.

He enlisted in the Army was deployed to Korea during the Korean war where he was wounded and received a Purple Heart. After returning to the states, he attended college where he met and fell in love with his wife, Betty Lohrman. When they married in 1956, he became "Daddy Dick" to Betty's 3 daughters from her previous marriage, Beverly, Barbara and Becky Lohrman-fondly referred to as "the thundering herd".

Dick, at the desire of his wife to live in the mountains, moved their growing family to Missoula, Montana. They had 3 children together, Deborah, Richard Jr. and Patsy Pedersen. After the passing of the oldest daughter in 1969, Beverly, they adopted their first granddaughter, Michele (Lohrman) Pedersen to complete their family of 9.

Dick loved his family, friends, life, and everything about it from fishing, hunting, gold panning up 9-Mile, dowsing for minerals, hunting for rock and precious gems but his real passion was music. He was self-taught on many instruments, the fiddle being his favorite, and he was actively involved in the Old Time Fiddlers in Missoula for over 50 years-serving as President for many of those years. He loved to pass along his enthusiasm for music to anyone he could especially his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Dick was preceded in death by his wife Betty Pedersen, parents and most of his siblings (with the exception of his baby brother, Ralph Pedersen and baby sister, Sharon Moody), daughter Beverly Lohrman, Grandson Joshua Orr, and Granddaughters Lillyen Shields and Lanie Hillard.

Dick was such a caring and generous soul and will be missed by so many people but especially his children, Barbara Lerum (Steve), Becky Shields (James), Debbie Orr (Jerry), Patsy Clarke (Dave), Michele Pedersen, Richard Jr Pedersen (Gwen), 11 wonderful grandchildren, and 19 adorable great grandkids.

In lieu of flowers, just enjoy the beautiful music in everyday things "Music can change the world because it can change people". A memorial service will be in summer of 2026.