Josephine "Joey" Pedersen

Josephine “Joey” Pedersen was born June 9th, 1939 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Fred and Lucile (Fleming) Brown. Joey was only six when her father passed. She then went to live with her aunt and uncle, Josephine and Dan Kirby, during the week and would go home on the weekends, as Lucile was a nurse and worked nights at the hospital. Joey and her cousin, Kathleen were raised like sisters. They were complete opposites in many ways but got along great and they loved spending time together! There was no shortage of crazy stories and laughter whenever they would get together.

Joey graduated from Cathedral High School in Sioux Falls in 1957. After graduation, she headed to Mitchell, South Dakota for nurses training, following in her mother’s footsteps.

After completing her nurses training, Joey and a close friend from high school and nurses training, headed to the big city of Omaha. It is there she met Leo Pedersen. They were married January 13, 1962 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Joey and Leo had three children, Steve, Mike and Kathy. She stayed home with the kids for many years and later helped out at the Tropics Bar and Grill, the business Leo owned. It was a great fit for her as she was a natural with people. Everyone loved her and boy was she a worker! Joey was nicknamed “Road Runner” as she walked so fast as a waitress.

After the Tropics, Joey and Leo bought Brown’s Café in Benson and Leo’s Diner was born. Leo had the business up and running and then Steve stepped in to help run the business with Joey. The Diner was a hit and it helped bring about a revival in Benson. As any restaurant owner would know, this business is very taxing on the body and long hours. The Diner would later be sold under the conditions they could keep the name and all the recipes the Diner used.

Without the Diner, Joey was able to enjoy spending more time on things she truly loved, animals and her family!

Joey and Leo’s first house was in the Benson area but in 1973 moved far north and bought a house in the Raven Oaks neighborhood. It was a dream neighborhood for the kids.

Joey was always crazy about animals! There was always at least one dog at all times running around the house. Her love for animals did not stop there. When an acreage they would pass by daily on Morman Bridge Road was for sale, they made the move and more animals became family. Not just cats and dogs, but ducks, geese, horses and even a couple pet pigs. Each one had a name and was considered part of the family. Joey was truly in her element in the old farmhouse, always cooking, baking, ironing (she loved to iron), and being with her animals and family.

The family said goodbye to Leo on November 5, 2006 after a battle with liver cancer. The upkeep on the acreage would be too great so it was sold and Joey moved into a townhome in Bennington.

Joey loved hosting family holidays and any reason to have the kids and grandkids over. She turned her basement into a “grandkids cave” fully equipped with ping-pong, foosball, chalkboard wall for drawing, train table and TV/VCR for movie watching. She wanted to create a fun place to spend time and the fresh chocolate chip cookies were a nice perk as well. Joey would continue her love for animals as she would have a couple cats at the townhome.

After a fall and a broken hip at home, she unfortunately never returned to the townhome. Joey moved into Parson’s House April 2022.

Joey passed peacefully Sunday, March 8th, 2026. Many family members were able to visit during her final week to say their goodbyes.

Joey will be remembered best as a kind, beautiful spirit with an infectious smile who always saw the glass half full or made it seem overflowing. She somehow had a way to turn everything into a positive, a true optimist. Joey lived a life of gratitude, joy and selflessness. She was genuine, compassionate and humble. At the same time, she enjoyed a good party. Joey has blessed the lives she touched and has helped make this world a better place.

Joey was preceded in death by her parents: Fred and Lucile Brown; husband: Leo Pedersen; and sibling/cousin: Kathleen McKenzie. She is survived by her children: Steve (Sue) Pedersen of Omaha, NE, Mike (Kelly) Pedersen of Fremont, NE, Kathy (Mike) Mingo of Omaha, NE; 7 grandchildren: Michael, Zach (Alix), Abby (Tyler), Maddie (Timothy), Cole, Julia and Paxton.

Visitation 5:00-7:00 PM with Rosary 6:30 PM Wednesday (3/11/2026) at Roeder Mortuary 108th Street Chapel; Funeral Mass 11:00 AM Thursday (3/12/2026) at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church 5419 N 114th St Omaha, NE; Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha, NE; Luncheon at La Casa Pizzeria 610 S 168th St. Omaha, NE after the burial.

Memorials to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church or Catz Angels CARE.

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - 108th Street Chapel - 2727 N 108th St - Omaha, NE - 402-496-9000

www.RoederMortuary.com

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