Donald Pederson

Donald E. Pederson, 94, was born on July 23, 1930 at home in Buse Township, Minnesota, to Henry and Clara Annetta (Nettie) Pederson. He was baptized and later confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He attended country school in Buse Township and graduated from Fergus Falls Senior High School in 1948. He was a member of the Buse Township 4-H Club. He worked on the family farm south of Fergus Falls until he was drafted into the Army in 1953. After basic training at Fort Bliss, he trained at the U.S. Army Engineers Training School at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. He was then transferred into Special Category Army with Air Force (SCARWAF) and sent to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. From there, he was deployed to the Sparrevohn Air Force Station, a remote radar station that was still under construction at the time, where he served until he was discharged in 1955. He attributed his ability to accept the remoteness and harsh conditions at Sparrevohn to his strong faith in God and friendship with his fellow soldiers. His service in the military had a significant impact on him and he talked about it frequently. But the thing he liked the most was coming home, after which he continued to farm with his family.

Don met Helen Berg at Deer Lake in Otter Tail County in the summer of 1956, and they were married on May 23, 1959. After marrying Helen, they resided at the family farm in Buse Township, and Don farmed with his brother Roger Pederson. They had a dairy herd and raised small grains and corn. Don enjoyed farming and continued to have a strong interest in it throughout his entire life. Don and Helen were devoted members of First Lutheran Church. With his children, he continued to be involved in Buse Township 4-H. Through Lutheran Social Services, Don volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels to several senior living facilities in Fergus Falls. He made friends wherever he went, and people looked forward to visiting with him. Don and Helen loved to attend bible study and valued the caring, sharing and nurturing of their bible study group. They loved watching the Lawrence Welk show together every Sunday night. During the 62 years of their marriage, Don was a devoted husband to Helen and took care of her for years after her mobility declined. They made a wonderful team, supporting each other in whatever ways they could. They set an excellent example of love, kindness and devotion for their children and grandchildren. Helen died in 2021, and Don said he missed her every day, and often talked about her as if she was still right here with him. In June 2024, Don moved to PioneerCare Center after an illness. He chose to continue living there, and enjoyed the care he received, the friends he made, and the many activities and worship services he participated in. On his last Christmas, he played the role of Joseph in the PioneerCare Center Christmas Service.

Throughout his life, Don loved time with family – sisters and brothers and their spouses, nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He and Helen loved to socialize with friends and neighbors, play cards, and dance. They were both members of the Senior Center Kitchen Band and entertained many people with their music.

On Sunday, April 6, 2025 at the age of 94, Don passed away at Lake Region Hospital surrounded by his children and the compassionate care of the ICU nurses who graciously tended to him during his final days as he moved from this life to the next.

He was preceded in death by his wife Helen, his parents, brothers LeRoy Pederson and Roger Pederson, and sister Evelyn Gerlach. He is survived by his children Cindy (Brad) Gray, Kevin (Ruth) Pederson, and Brian (Trisha) Pederson, seven grandsons Beau (Kayla) Gray, Andrew (Aly) Gray, Thomas (Sadie) Pederson, Matthew (Kelsey) Pederson, Michael (Nicole) Pederson, USMC Capt. Jacob Pederson, Christopher (Brittany) Pederson, eight great-grandchildren, sister Phyllis Green, brother-in-law Ordean Berg, sister-in-law Darlene (David) Johnson and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 18, 2025, at the First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, with a visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls, MN

Military Honors: Provided by the Harold T. Swenson VFW Post 612 & American Legion Post 30, Fergus Falls, MN

Funeral arrangements entrusted with the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls.