Dr. Gary Lynn Pedersen

Dr. Gary L. Pedersen, 64 of Grand Island died unexpectedly Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at CHI Health St. Francis, Grand Island.



Celebration of Life will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Grand Island with the Rev. Kelly Karges officiating. Visitation hours will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 31, 2017 at Apfel Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Apfel Funeral Home is caring for the family.



Dr. Gary Lynn Pedersen was born October 30, 1952 near Riverton, NE, the son of Norris and Joyce (Kness) Pedersen. He grew up in Franklin, Nebraska graduating from Franklin High School with the class of 1971. He graduated from the University of Nebraska Kearney where he received his bachelors of Science degree in Biology and graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1978 with honors.



Gary was united in marriage to Barbara Frame on August 18, 1974 at Hershey, Nebraska. The couple made their home in North Platte, Nebraska where he owned Optical Images. In 1980 the family moved to Grand Island when he purchased Grand Island Optical known today as Eye Care Professionals.



Gary was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Grand Island, former president of the Grand Island Lions Club, VOSH (Voluntary Service to Humanity), Riverside Golf Club and was involved with the TeamMates Mentoring Program. He was awarded the National Head Start Humanitarian Award in 1996 and was a National Humanitarian Award Recipient and Nebraska Optometrist of the year. For the last 19 years, Dr. Pedersen has done volunteer based eye care in underdeveloped countries in Central America, South America and Mexico. He will be remembered fondly by friends and family as he loved keeping them busy.



Dr. Pedersens greatest joy came from his three grandsons and being an active part of their activities.



Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Barbara of Grand Island, a son David Pedersen of Appleton, Wisconsin, daughter & son-in-law, Tara & Nick Martin, of Grand Island, his parents Norris & Joyce Pedersen of Franklin, NE, three grandsons, Cole, Dane & Finn Martin of Grand Island, a sister & brother-in-law, Bonnie & Steve Atwood of Lexington, NE



He was preceded in death by his grandparents.



Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.