Don Pedo

Don was without a doubt a “good and faithful servant,” a man who prayed the rosary daily and who lived his life keeping faith, family, and friends at the top of his priority list.

So on his 95th birthday, March 16, 2026, God gave Don the best birthday gift ever — a one-way ticket to Heaven. As hard as it was to see this wonderful man pass, it was impossible not to look beyond our sorrow and sense his eternal joy.

In addition to his wife and parents, Don was greeted by his loving daughter, Rosalie Bluekamp; his brothers, Bob Pedo and Roger Pedo; a sister, Rachel Struck; a brother-in-law, Joseph Priante; sisters-in-law Alice (Dominic) Marchi, Lucy (Bill) Pataconi, Joyce (John) Chapman, Gloria (Kayo) Reese, Sue (Dick) Reath, and Janet (Marvin) Santini.

Don was born in Iron Mountain, son of the late Louis and Rose (Bruno) Pedo. He graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1949 and from Michigan Tech in 1953 with a degree in civil engineering and as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He served his country in England at the Manston Air Force Base.

Don left a note for the family about his life. The following quote says it all … “Our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have given us more love and pleasure than we can absorb, and our only wish is for all of them to experience the same in their future lives. We recommend only one thing for everyone to remember: Keep it simple, focus mainly on God and the love He had for all, and the rest will fall into place.”

Don is survived by his daughter, Teresa (John) Fortier of Iron Mountain; his son, Louis Pedo of Big Bend, Wis.; a son-in-law, Doug Bluekamp of Iron Mountain; four grandchildren, Dana (Mike) Cook of Iron Mountain, Jenna (Todd) Buckley of Waterford, Wis., Kyle (Jackie) Fortier of Iron Mountain, and Nathan Bluekamp of Iron Mountain; 10 great-grandchildren, Jana, Devin, Wesley and Adalyn Cook, Vincent, Tessa and Luke Buckley, and Dylan, Hadley, and Zeke Fortier; a brother, Jerry Pedo; and many nieces and nephews.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Evergreen Senior Living — from the kitchen, maintenance, and housekeeping to all the special caregivers. He praised you every day.

As Don’s age started to take its toll, we enlisted the help of OSF Hospice. There are no words to describe the difference their loving care made in all our lives. His OSF care team of Ashley, Dani, Erik, and Chaplain Jason was second to none. We are forever grateful to each of you.

Visitation will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 25, at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. A Memorial Mass will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Mary & St. Joseph Catholic Church in Iron Mountain. Father Janusz Romanek will offer the Mass of Christian Burial.

In lieu of flowers and because faith was the center of Don’s world, donations may be made to St. Mary & St. Joseph Catholic Church in his memory.

Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.