Jean I Pederson

Jean Pederson, 95, formerly of Barnesville died Sunday, May 11, at Eventide Nursing Home, Moorhead, MN. Funeral services will be Thursday, May 15, at 11 am in Rollag Lutheran Church, rural Hawley, with Pastor's Jim Greene and Intern Jim Odden officiating. Burial will be held at Gran Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 14, from 5-7 pm with a prayer service at 7 pm at Dobmeier Funeral Home. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the funeral services at the church on Thursday. Jean Irene Stanley was born on March 17, 1919 to James A. and Mary Eva (Schieber) Stanley at Aberdeen, SD. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids, MN. She attended country school, her junior year in Barnesville, and senior year in Pelican Rapids graduating in 1937. During the fall of 1939, Jean met her future husband Gus Pederson while cooking during threshing time. They were married on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1941 at Zion Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids. Four months after their marriage, Gus was drafted into the Army, and she went to Minneapolis for work. When Gus was sent to North Africa, she returned home to Minnesota and lived with her in-laws. On Christmas Eve of 1943, Jean was informed that her husband was a POW. He was released from prison and returned to the states in 1945. They began their life on the farm raising crops and milking cows. She worked side by side with her husband on the farm. After retirement, Gus and Jean moved into Barnesville. Gus died in 2000. In 2008, Jean moved to Fairmont in Moorhead where she lived until this past winter when she moved to Eventide. Jean was a charter member of the VFW Auxiliary and an active member of the Red River POW's. She was a member of Gran Lutheran Church, taught Sunday School, and was active in the Ladies Aid and the Ruth Circle. Jean was a wonderful baker and made lots of homemade bread. Jean also was a good seamstress and also liked to quilt. She was proud of her accomplishment of being the National Lefse Champion. She was active in 4-H and honored as one of Clay County's Outstanding Seniors. She served as president of the Barnesville Seniors, worked with the Barnesville Food Shelf and the Helpers program. In her 90's she started the Welcome Committee and was a leader of a bible study. Jean is survived by five children: Faith Pelkey, Arvada, CO; David (Judy) Pederson, Pelican Rapids, MN; Joseph "Joe" (Lois) Pederson, Barnesville; Marian (Roger) Olson, Moorhead; Janet (Perry) Thompson, Tappen, ND; nine grandchildren: Debbie Pelkey, Kim (Todd) Siefken, Maggy (Todd) Pederson-Henderson, Paul Pederson, Carl Pederson, Jennifer (Eric) Graff, Daniel Olson, Andy (Holly) Thompson, Nicki (Jason) Thorstad and 12 great grandchildren: Melody Siefken, Stephen & Heath Terrell, Ashleigh Siefken, Grace & James Henderson, Alexis, Alivia, Andrew Pederson, Ryder, Parker, and McKenna Graff. Two sisters: Bernice Johnson & Nellie Holm; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends also survive Jean. Jean is preceded in death by her parents, grandson Brian Thompson, and son-in-law, Mike Pelkey, and 5 sisters and 6 brothers.