Amy Beth Pedersen

Amy Beth Pedersen, 59, of Brookings, South Dakota, passed away on March 5, 2026, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous 14-year battle with cancer.

Born on July 22, 1966, in Watertown, South Dakota, to Arlee Byron and Virginia Lorraine (Anenson) Johnson, Amy grew up in Watertown and graduated from public school in 1984. She earned a degree in Dental Assisting from Lake Area Technical College, then pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communications from South Dakota State University. She worked as a dental assistant before joining First Bank & Trust, where she served as the first manager of the Hy-Vee Bank Branch and later as the bank’s Training Director. Amy went on to earn a Master’s Degree from SDSU and spent the rest of her career as an instructor there. She was honored multiple times by the SDSU student body as “Teacher of the Year.”

Amy married James Bryan Pedersen on March 11, 1989. Together they raised two sons, Eric and Casey, and she cherished her role as a mother, faithfully attending their school and sporting events. She found joy in playing cards and games with friends, creating scrapbooks for her children, and making handmade greeting cards. A devoted fan of the Minnesota Twins and NASCAR, she traveled whenever possible to watch them compete. She especially loved family vacations, visiting many of the nation’s national parks, including Arches, Badlands, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Everglades, Grand Canyon, Grand Tetons, Mesa Verde, Saguaro, Yellowstone, and Zion. Amy also traveled to India for a month through a Rotary International exchange program and attended the Rotary International Convention in Brisbane, Australia, while serving as president of the Brookings Rotary Club. She gave generously of her time to other civic organizations, including Toastmasters, Bobcat Backers, and Band Boosters.

Amy is survived by her husband Bryan, sons Eric (special friend Megan) of Aberdeen, South Dakota, and Casey (Maggie) of Fargo, North Dakota; her sisters Karla (Roger) Stimson of Watertown, Dianne Healy of Larchwood, Iowa, Linda (Roger) Ching of Castlewood, and Brenda (Rick) Rorvick of Watertown; sister-in-law JoLynn (Scott) Rowbotham of Brookings; mother-in-law Jeanette Pedersen of Brookings; her beloved nieces and nephews; extended family; and many cherished friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arlee B. and Virginia L. Johnson; grandparents Albert and Bertha Johnson and Gustav and Emma Anenson; father-in-law Myron J. Pedersen; and brother-in-law Roger W. Ching.

Amy will be remembered for her quick sense of humor, witty one-liners, and deep love for family and friends. She often encouraged others to “take a walk in their shoes before passing judgment.” Her strength, joy, and love remain an enduring example to all who knew her.