Freda Pedersen

Freda Louise Pedersen, 98, of Crookston, MN, passed away at her home late Monday evening, April 9, 2012. Freda was born to Bern and Minnie (Everson) Mellin on December 25, 1913 at Turtle Lake, ND. She grew up in the Turtle Lake-Washburn, ND area and was the President of her graduating class at Turtle Lake High School in 1931. Freda went on to attend the Ellendale (ND) Normal School, which later became known as Ellendale State Teachers College, and received a bachelor's degree in education in December of 1935. Her first teaching assignment was at Zeeland, ND, where she taught English, History, and coached girls' basketball. She soon met the love of her life, a young man by the name of Allen R. Pedersen. Allen was also teaching at Zeeland High School, and just happened to be the boys' basketball coach. The two were united in marriage on July 30, 1937 in a ceremony held at Valley City, ND. They made their first home in Valley City and both taught in the area. They later moved to Crary, ND, where Allen became the Superintendent of Schools. With the start of WWII Allen went into the U.S. Army and was sent overseas. He would be gone for almost four years. Freda then moved to Moscow, ID to work on her Master's Degree at the University of Idaho. She later taught at Spirit Lake, ID, before becoming a bank teller in Spokane, WA. Subsequent job transfers would take Freda to banks in Boise, ID and Oakland, CA. Upon Allen's return after the War, he and Freda returned to Valley City, and then moved to Crookston in 1948. Freda was employed by the Miller Insurance Agency, and Allen was the District Manager for the J.I. Case Company. In 1956 he was transferred and the couple moved to Aberdeen, SD, where Freda once again worked in the insurance business. Freda and Allen came back to Crookston in 1971. She was employed at The Thimble and he became the business manager of Glenmore. Freda was a devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church and WELCA, was active in the Crookston Garden Club, and in the past held membership in the Business and Professional Women (BPW) organization. The couple both retired in the early 1990's, but the words, "life of leisure", were not, however, in their vocabulary. Both found great pleasure in gardening, with Freda doing the flowers, Allen the vegetables; and they delighted in sharing their bounty with neighbors and friends. Freda enjoyed cooking, baking, and sewing; and over the years she and Allen entertained a very large circle of friends in their home. Allen's coffee buddies at the American Legion always looked forward to Thursdays, because that was the day Freda would send "goodies" for them to enjoy with their coffee. Freda and Allen had just spent a very wonderful Easter Sunday in Valley City, seeing and visiting with many of their family. The day was meant to be treasured, and Freda will be remembered with great love. Freda leaves her beloved husband, Allen, just three months shy of what would have been their 75th wedding anniversary. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Marcyne Pederson of Valley City, ND; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Oscar Mellin. May God bless Freda's memory.

Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Friday, April 13, 2012
Service
Saturday, April 14, 2012
cemetery
Monday, April 16, 2012