Sharon K. Pedersen, 76, of Polk, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, at Grand Island Regional Medical Center.

Sharon chose to be cremated. Her life will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, at the American Legion Club in St. Paul. The Rev. Nicole Schwartz-Eck will lead the service.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting Sharon’s family.

Sharon was born on April 24, 1950, at Loup City, the daughter of Leo and Florence “Tina” (Ziola) Gappa. She grew up in the Paplin area and graduated from Elba High School in 1968.

She was united in marriage to Dennis R. Pedersen on April 8, 1972, at Paplin. The couple lived in Elba until moving to Polk in 2002.

Sharon had worked at the Howard County Medical Center in St. Paul and with St. Francis Home Health of Grand Island. After moving to Polk, she continued working at area nursing homes and assisted living facilities, including Mahoney House in York, until fully retiring.

She is survived by her husband, Dennis, of Polk; son, Luke Pedersen of Clarks; daughter and son-in-law, April and Jim Hitz of Norfolk; 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Renee Jonak of Ashton, Deloris and Jim Stanczyk of Ashton, Maxine Lewandowski of St. Paul, and Linda and Jerry Polski of Elba; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter-in-law, Lisa Pedersen; brother, Howard Gappa; infant brother, LeRoy Gappa; infant sister, JoAnn Gappa; and brother-in-law, Delbert Jonak.