Former Nebraska State Senator Don Pederson died Sunday morning at the age of 90.
Pederson was a Hastings native and Omaha Benson High graduate. His wife June Pederson says he died at his home of complications from pancreatic cancer, which he was diagnosed with May 14th.
Pederson served in the state legislature from 1996 to 2007. He was appointed to the legislature on September 5, 1996 to replace David Bernard-Stevens, who had resigned. He was elected in 1996 to represent the 42nd Nebraska legislative district and reelected in 1998 and 2002.
Pederson was on the Nebraska Retirement Systems, Building Maintenance, and Legislative Performance Audit committees. Since Nebraska voters passed Initiative Measure 415 in 2001 limiting state senators to two terms after 2001, he was unable run for reelection barring a court challenge of the measure.
He is the father of former Nebraska athletic director Steve Pederson. His family released the following statement Sunday: "June, David, Steven, Scott and Jeff Pederson are saddened to announce that after 90 amazing years, our husband and father, Donald W. Pederson, died peacefully this morning at his home."
"We were blessed to have the finest man any anyone could ask for lead our family. His life of genuine caring and service was an inspiration to us all. We thank all the friends who have reached out to him over the past few weeks to express their thoughts."