Barbara Joan Pedersen

Barbara J. Pedersen, 80, of Indianapolis passed away on Wednesday, December 8^th, 2021. She was born in Indianapolis on November 8, 1941 to the late Fred and Alyce Lofquist, and had an older sister, Gloria Laverty.  Barbara graduated from North Central High School and then Butler University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and was a member of the sorority of Kappa Kappa Gamma as well as the Butler women’s swim team.  Barbara would later earn her Master’s Degree in Education and teach courses at Butler University. Barbara met the love of her life, Thomas H. Pedersen, and they married on August 22, 1964.  They moved to Lebanon, IN where Tom practiced law for 45 years and Barbara taught at the local elementary schools. Barbara’s true love was Tom and her three sons, Jeff, Doug and Todd.  When the boys were of school age, Barbara returned to the classroom and Tom and Barbara would later return to Indianapolis. Barbara was awarded the inaugural Christie McAuliffe Award for teaching excellence, a national award for those who demonstrated extraordinary achievement in education.  Her enthusiasm for teaching, perseverance in improving education, and drive to serve others was manifested through her development of the non-profit organization C.L.A.S.S. Education.  Barbara served the educational community to better the lives of our future generations.  Traveling the world as an educational leader, she was motivating force in fundamental changing educational processes for thousands of educators. Barbara was the heart and soul of the Pedersen family.  She loved playing the host at all of the holidays, family celebrations and family vacations.  She kept us on agenda and lifted our hearts with her unconditional love, delightful sense of humor and wonderful laugh.  Barbara’s life mantra was “Don’t let anything steal your joy.”  For Barbara, her joy came from her family and her relationship with God.  She was a longstanding member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.  On the day of her death she wrote the following text to her family and friends: “When you follow God’s plan with faith, your life will be full of peace and joy. Remember Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Barbara is preceded in death by her loving husband, Tom, and is survived by her three sons, Jeff Pedersen, Doug Pedersen (Genni) and Todd Pedersen (Katie), her sister, Gloria Laverty and her ten grandchildren: Jack, Hannah, Charlie, George, Matt, Lydia, Tommy, Lauren, Nicholas, James (Lindsey), and great-granddaughter, Lucy. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. EST on Friday, December 17^th, 2021 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 West 86^th Street, Indianapolis, with visitation at 11:30 a.m. EST until the time of the service.  To view the service live online, please go to the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church website at https://www.stlukesumc.com.  A private burial service will follow for the immediate family. Memorial contributions may be made in Barbara’s name to the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 West 86^th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.