Martin Pederson

Martin Pederson, age 99 of Osakis died Friday at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, MN.
Martin Otto Pederson was born on November 7, 1909 in West Union Township, Todd Co., MN to Nickolai and Anne (Kolstad) Pederson. He was baptized and confirmed at Sauk Valley Lutheran Church. He attended country school at Dist. 68 and then began working for neighbors helping them with their farm chores. He soon began farming for himself and continued a lifelong career of dairy farming. He spent his entire life farming in West Union Township and only officially retired when he was in his mid- eighties. He sold the farm in 1994 and moved into the Manor Apartments in Osakis and then later to the Terrace Heights assisted living.
Martin was a lifetime member of the Sauk Valley Lutheran Church and served as a deacon, a trustee and on the cemetery board. He also shared his love of music by helping to sing in the church choir.
Martin loved nature and working outdoors. He was happiest up on his tractor working the fields. In the wintertime, he enjoyed traveling, and especially liked his trip along the West Coast of the United States.
Surviving him are three nephews, Ivan Kleppen, Alden Johnson and Dennis Sampson; 4 nieces, Phyllis Peterson, Beverley Heggen, Lois Landon and Sylvia Christenson; many great and great, great nieces and nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents, 5 brothers, Percy, Arthur, Theodore, Carl and an infant brother; 5 sisters, Ida Chenette, Delia Kleppen, Anna Johnson, Martha Kleppen and Selina Sampson; 2 nieces, Evelyn Avery and Nora Mikkelson and an infant nephew, Carmen Kleppen.
Funeral services for Martin will be held on Wednesday, May 6 at 2:00 pm at the Sauk Valley Lutheran Church in rural Osakis with Rev. Steve Hilde officiating. Musicians are Vicki Larson and soloists, Ray Mikkelson and Robin Helgen.
Interment will be in the family plot of the Sauk Valley Cemetery. Honorary bearer is Harold Walter, Charles Hector, Loren and Lester Fiskness and Harvey Erickson. Active pallbearers are Ray Mikkelson, Alden and Norbert Johnson, Dan Hagen, David Heggen and David Christenson.
Arrangements were with the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN.