Virginia M. Pedersen - age 76, of Cherokee, passed away on Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 at the Accura Healthcare of Cherokee, Iowa.
Virginia Mae Pedersen was born December 21st, 1942 at Carmichael House in Pocahontas, Iowa. She was the daughter of Clarence and Edna (Levene) Pedersen. She grew up on a farm and developed a lifelong love of animals. Virginia attended Havelock schools, graduating in 1961. She moved to Minneapolis, MN to take a lab technician course and worked in a lab in Albert Lea, MN. She then went to college at USD in Vermillion, SD graduating with a degree in Psychology in 1967. Virginia then attended Southern Illinois University for graduate school and continued her education receiving her Ph.D in Child Psychiatry in 1980. She worked at MHI in Cherokee until her retirement.
Virginia and her husband, Dennis Lambert, spent many years together traveling in their motor coach with their Westie, Chris. They both worked at MHI and had a shared love of animals and art. After Denny's passing in 1993 Virginia began showing Burmese cats and won many awards. She had many beloved cats and dogs throughout the years. She was a lifelong lover of books and belonged to a weekly book club at the library.
Survivors include her nieces, Lori (Doug Johnson) Pedersen of Denver, CO and Jean (Brent) Rankin of Clive; and a great nephew and niece, Sam and Casey Rankin of Clive. She also leaves behind best friend and caretaker for many years, Val Cedar of Cherokee. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dennis and brother, Lowell.