Harold Pederson

Harold L. Pederson, 84, of Grand Forks, ND, passed away Thursday morning, January 10, 2019, at Woodside Village, of 4000 Valley Square, in Grand Forks, with members of his loving family at his side.

Harold was born at Mayville, ND on September 13, 1934, the son of Henry and Ella (Berg) Pederson.  Harold was raised on the family farm located just outside of Devils Lake, ND, graduating from Devils Lake High School with the Class of 1952. He attended college at the University of North Dakota for one year before entering the US Army on November 4, 1954.  On October 23, 1953 Harold was united in marriage to Colleen Anne Dahlen at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Devils Lake. For part of the remainder of his active duty with the army, Colleen was able to join Harold in Louisiana and Texas. Following his honorable discharge on September 11, 1956, the couple settled in Fargo and Harold enrolled at North Dakota State University.  In 1961 he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, and with his growing family moved to Drayton, ND.

Harold was employed in agricultural sales with Comico American Fertilizer Company and Cenex.  He later went into business, purchasing the Drayton Fertilizer Company.  His two sons, Dale and Ken joined the business and was named Pederson Fertilizer and Oil.  Harold remained with the family business until his retirement.

Harold and Colleen were avid golfers and curlers.  As a couple, they spent many weekends curling in Bonspiels all over North Dakota, Minnesota and Canada.  They also greatly enjoyed spending time over the years with family and friends at their home at Lake of the Woods. Sadly, Colleen passed away on April 3, 2006.

Harold and Colleen were devoted members of the Drayton Lutheran Church. He was very active in the Drayton community, serving as Mayor of Drayton from 1982 to 1994. In his younger years Harold served with the Drayton Volunteer Fire Department, the Drayton Improvement Association, the Drayton School Board, the Valley Landfill Association Board, the Drayton Curling Association, and was a member of the Drayton Jaycees. For many years Harold held membership in the Masonic Lodge and Shriners.

Harold is survived by 5 children and their spouses: Dale L. (Sheila) Pederson of Dothan, AL, Barb (Doug) Erdman of Crookston, MN, Ken (Kristine) Pederson of Alexandria, MN, David (Julie) Pederson of East Grand Forks, MN, and Chris (Becky) Pederson of Lake Park, MN; a daughter-in-law, Vicci Pederson of Bismarck, ND; 12 grandchildren:  Lindsay (Cody) Kostelecky of Bismarck, ND, Brittany (Brian) Stuhlmiller of Bismarck, ND, Meghan (Kevin) Casaus of Phoenix, Ariz., Eric (Lindsey) Erdman of Crookston, MN, Cameron (Julia) Pederson of Fargo, ND, Kayla (Adam Tischler) Pederson of Sioux Falls, SD, Conner (Kalli Kutenbach) Pederson of Sioux Falls, SD, and Nicholas (Mary Lynn Seehafer) of Grand Forks, ND, Marshal Pederson and Noah Pederson of East Grand Forks, MN, Baley Pederson of Fargo, ND, and Emma Pederson of Lake Park, MN; and 13 great-grandchildren.  He also leaves a brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Mitzi Pederson of Moorhead, MN; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Judy and Dennis Schwab, and Richard and Donna Dahlen of Devils Lake, ND, Joyce Dahlen of Fargo, ND, and Tom Dahlen of Spokane, WA; a good friend, Darlene Larson of Grand Forks, ND; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. In addition to Colleen, his beloved wife, Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ella; sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Ronald Anderson; parents-in-law, John and Gladys Dahlen; a sister-in-law, Joy Dahlen; and a brother-in-law, Gary Dahlen. May God bless the memory of Harold Lavern Pederson.

The funeral service for Harold Pederson will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 17, 2019, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Crookston with The Rev. Loren Mellum, officiating. Visitation will be at the church for one hour prior to the service. Military Honors will be provided by the Crookston Veterans Council and the MN National Guard Honors Unit from Moorhead, MN. Interment will follow at the Oakdale Cemetery in Crookston. The Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home is assisting with funeral arrangements.

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