Saturday, January 5, 2013

Owen Martel Pedersen

Today we said goodbye to a friend, brother, uncle and grandfather. Owen Martel Pedersen. This is Jeremy's Grandfather. I met Martel a little over twelve years ago when I started dating Jeremy. In the time I got to know him I called him Grandpa. Although he leaves us he is joining friends, family and his sweetheart which have been apart for 16 years. Even though this is goodbye we will see him one day.
1924 ~ 2013
Owen Martel Pedersen celebrated the New Year with his sweetheart as he left this realm to join her on Jan 1st 2013. He died from causes incident to age after a long and productive life. Martel was born September 29, 1924 in Oasis, Utah to Peder Herman Pedersen and Mary Fawntella Carver. He graduated from high school and soon after joined the United States Navy during WWII. During his service in the Navy, he attained the rank of Aviation Machinist Mate First Class. Following the war, he was married to Lael Alice Ottley in the Salt Lake Temple on May 20, 1946. They lived in California for a few years before returning home to Utah where Martel worked in the building department for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He then worked for several other businesses as an accountant/office manager. He finally realized the dream of owning his own business and ran a plastic injection-molding machine for years. He never really retired, but eventually gave that up and turned his attention to other projects such as gathering and distributing ancestral photos, and other genealogical information to anyone that he felt he could spark an interest in.
Dad was active in the church and served faithfully. He also became a very helpful home teacher to widows who needed help and was always a mentor to young people as he hired them to work with him in his plastics business. His first goal was to give them a job, but always there to listen and teach them important values and goals.
Our dad was a sweet, gentle father who always stopped what he was doing for a little chat or a hug. He worked hard to support his family but was not too busy for a little time when we needed it. He always had a piece of candy in his pocket for restless children no matter what age they were.
Dad and Mom served together in the Salt Lake Temple for 10 years. It was a joy to both of them and a great example to their children and grandchildren. Through the last 5 years, as his health and capacities declined, he was always so grateful and so kind to those who assisted him in any way. He was never impatient and constantly praised his caregivers. Our thanks to all the hospice caregivers and VA doctors!
Martel is survived by his 7 children, their spouses, 37 grandchildren, and 63 great grandchildren, one brother, and several in-laws. He was preceded in death by our mom, Lael, his parents, 2 brothers and his only sister, and one granddaughter.

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