Demiles "Pete" Pedersen

Demiles “Pete” Pedersen, 90, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Dec. 28, 2023.

Pete was born to Eiler and Lillian Pedersen on Feb. 12, 1933, in Kenmore, North Dakota. He was the eldest of two boys (brother Gerald).

He graduated from high school in Westby, Montana, and received a basketball scholarship to attend Northern Montana College for a year before enlisting in the Air Force. While serving his country, he was assigned to Ramstein AFB, Germany. During his tour, Pete had the opportunity to travel across Europe, creating lifelong memories.

After the Air Force, he attended the University of Montana in Missoula, where he became President of the Phi Sig fraternity. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration on June 6, 1960. Go Griz!

He met the love of his life, Mary Steiner, who was attending Eastern Montana College. They were married on Jan. 20, 1962 — spending 62 wonderful years together. They were blessed with a son, Greg and a daughter, Raylene. Pete was a loving father to his children, devoting time to coaching their baseball and softball teams and always attending their school events.

Pete began his Bureau of Land Management (BLM) career as a Realty Specialist, moving through many administrative positions, finally retiring as the Assistant Service Center Director in Denver. Pete’s 32-year career at the BLM allowed them to live in several cities — Billings, Lewistown, Cheyenne, Washington DC, Billings, Denver, and back to Billings. Pete culminated his three decades-plus BLM career in distinguished fashion and received the Meritorious Civil Service Award from the Secretary of the Interior in 1989.

Pete retired in 1990 in Billings, where he and Mary served at Faith Chapel church for 18 years and then became active members at Emmanuel Baptist for the past eight years.

Pete and Mary spent many years traveling to Lake Tahoe, Nevada; Fairmont Hot Springs, Canada; Branson, Missouri; Big Sky, Montana; golfing, sightseeing and attending country music concerts. Their travels also took them to various Army and Joint military installations across the country supporting John, Raylene and their children.

Pete’s passion was golf and he loved tournament play. They were members of the Laurel Golf Course for 20 years and in later years switched over to Peter Yegen. In 2009, he crossed off a bucket list item by attending The Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, with his son, Greg.

In 2019, they moved into St. John’s Mission Ridge, where they made some wonderful friends and enjoyed their apartment overlooking the duck pond. In 2021, with his advancing Parkinsons, Pete moved to St. John’s Moorberg Cottage on campus. He was loved and cared for by the most professional caregivers and Hospice staff. His devoted wife Mary visited him almost every day. Papa Pete passed away peacefully on Dec. 28, 2023, after a sweet Hallelujah prayer!

Pete is survived by his wife, Mary; children Greg (Michele), Raylene (John); grandchildren, Bryce (Melissa), Nik (Maria), Brad (Marissa), Kayla (Logan). He took great pride in watching his grandchildren grow and excel in life and marriage.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. John’s United (Employee Help)  https://give.stjohnsunited.org/campaign/st-johns-united-giving/c412072 or check payable to Emmanuel Baptist church in honor of Demiles Pedersen for their Children’s Park Development.

The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at Emmanual Baptist Church, 328 S. Shiloh Road, Billings. After the service will be a reception at the church followed by a burial service at the Yellowstone National Veterans Cemetery, 55 Buffalo Trail Road (Laurel) at 2 p.m.