After a life of love and quiet grace, Marvin H. Pedersen of Whitmore Lake, MI has passed.
What follows is a brief look at the life his family wishes to share.
Marvin spent his working life as ['aerospace engineer'] and held deeply to the Lutheran faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
Those who live by belief leave a different kind of mark.
Pedersen, Marvin
Pinckney, MI
His Legacy…Marvin H. Pedersen,104, passed away May 2, 2026. He was born on December 16, 1921, in Greenville, Michigan to Anders Pedersen and Alta (Christensen) Pedersen. Like many members of the Greatest Generation, Marv grew up on the family farm during the Great Depression. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II and served in the Pacific theater, preparing for the planned invasion of Japan.
After the war, he married his first wife, Madge, and completed his degree at the University of California, Berkeley. He launched a career as an aerospace engineer, working for North American Aircraft, TEMCO, and ultimately LTV.
While living in California, the family grew with the adoption of daughter Kristine. In Texas, they adopted Mary Anne. Son Andy was born shortly after the family moved to Michigan.
In 1972, at the age of 51, Marvin left his engineering career and moved the family to Hamburg, where he purchased Pedersen's Hardware and Grocery store. He later bought the local Dairy Queen as well. He sold the Dairy Queen in 1987 and the hardware store the following year, entering retirement.
In retirement, Marvin led the Livingston County United Way and co-founded Big Brothers Big Sisters of Livingston County. He served on the Hamburg Township Planning Commission for 17 years, chairing it for 15 of those years, and received the state of Michigan's Outstanding Commissioner award in 2003. In recognition of his dedicated community service, the Hamburg Kiwanis Club created the "Marv Pedersen Community Service Award," naming him its first recipient.
Marvin and Madge enjoyed traveling together until her death in 1994 after 48 years of marriage.
In 1998, Marv found love again when he married Irma Marcoux Pedersen. His family instantly expanded to include Irma's nine children and their families. The couple devoted many hours to home improvements-repairs, painting, landscaping, and adding a garage. They also traveled widely: an epic cross-country drive out West, winter escapes to Florida, and frequent
visits to Cuba, New York, to see Irma's family. In his 90s, Marv wrote a book documenting his long and eventful life.
Marv loved his family and his 54 years in Hamburg. He cherished the strong sense of community and the many lasting friendships he formed there.
His Family… Marvin will be missed by his wife, Irma Pedersen; his children, Mary Anne Pedersen, Andy (Deborah) Pedersen; step-children, Mary (David) Robinson, Rex (Angie) Jones, Johnny (Paula) Marcoux, DeeDee Fuller, Kathy (Jon) Morris, Mary (John) Hupp; brother, Andrew (Kathy) Pedersen; grandchildren, Jacklyn (Joe) McManus, Jessica (Casey) Hoskins, Jeniece (Jason) Shackelford, Mickey (Felicia) Flint, William (Megan) Watt; and numerous grandchildren from Irma's family. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Madge Ellen Pedersen; parents, Anders and Alta Pedersen; daughter, Kristine Hoskins; brother, Edwin (Pat) Pedersen; sister, Marguerite (George) Doolittle; and step-son-in-law, Kurt Fuller.
His Farewell…Marvin's Community Farewell will take place on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 11:00AM (10AM visitation with the family) at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 7701 M-36, Whitmore Lake, Michigan. Pastor Jeff Burgess will serve as celebrant. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Paul Lutheran Church. Please leave a message of comfort for Marvin's family at 1-877-231-7900, or sign his guestbook at www.borekjennings.com.
To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.
