Ralph Pederson

Ralph Pederson, 95 of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota died Monday, September 22, 2008 in the Good Samaritan Society, Pelican Rapids. Ralph, son of Emil and Enga (Jakobson) Pederson, was born March 18, 1913 on his family farm near Barnesville, Minnesota where he attended country school and grew to manhood. After his schooling he worked on the family farm and for area farmers. Ralph married Melnor Holt on June 29, 1937 in Sisseton, South Dakota. The couple made their home and farmed in Norwegian Grove Township of Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Ralph continued to work for area farmers and did some custom combining. They retired from farming in 1961 and moved into Moorhead where Ralph worked as a custodian for Minnesota State University Moorhead. In 1966 they moved into Barnesville. Ralph retired in 1977. In 1979 they moved to their home on Lake Lida near Pelican Rapids. Melnor died on Christmas Day 1991. Ralph continued to live one the lake until 2000 when he moved into Pelican Rapids. In October of 2007 he became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society, Pelican Rapids where he lived until the time of his death. He was a life long member of North Immanuel Lutheran Church. He was baptized and confirmed at Hammar Lutheran Church in Rothsay, Minnesota. Ralph enjoyed his family and raising his sons. He fished and hunted, enjoyed tinkering on tractors and other farm machinery, he was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins and Viking and enjoyed auto racing. He is survived by two sons, Richard G. Pederson of Sparta, Wisconsin and David (Barbara) Pederson Sr. of Moorhead; seven grandchildren, Richard R. Pederson of Sparta, Cozette Gallup of La Croix, Wisconsin, David Pederson Jr. of Clear Water, Minnesota, Kelly Pederson and Daniel Pederson both of Fargo, Kimberly Pederson and Kery Pederson both of Moorhead; eleven great-grandchildren, Tokata Gallup, Antoinette Juen, David Pederson III, Christina and Ashley Sanchez, Tristan and Bryce Grunewald, Aurora Pederson, Elizabeth Ortlepp, Allyssa and Donald Weisenberger. He is also survived by one sister Gladys Brusven of Barnesville and one sister-in-law Rose Rollie of Barnesville. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife; three brothers, Bennie, Lloyd and Tony, and one grandchild. Visitation: Friday from 5 " 8 with a prayer service at 7 in Dobmeier Funeral Home, Barnesville and two hours before the service at the church. Funeral Service: Saturday at 2:00 in North Immanuel Lutheran Church, near Pelican Rapids. Internment: North Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.