Peter/Peder G. Pederson (1881-1936)

PEDERSON, GRINDHEIM, GABRIELSON, SOPELAND

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/15/2024 at 19:39:15

From Story City Herald April 9, 1936 (page 2)

PEDER G. PEDERSON

Peder G. Pederson, son of Thomas and Ellen Pederson Grindheim, was born at Morris, Ill., Oct. 15, 1881, and passed away at the Methodist hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, March 21, 1936, at the age of 54 years, 5 months and 6 days.

As a child he received holy baptism at Morris, Ill., officiated by Rev. Gudmund Strand. While yet a young boy he came with his parents to Randall, Iowa, where he lived his entire life, with the exception of a few years spent at Graettinger, Iowa.

On Oct. 18, 1896, he was confirmed in the church at Randall by Rev. O. P. Svingen. His classmates were Haldor Overland, Henry Henderson, Nels Millang, Edwin Benson, Ingeborg Sevold, John Helgeson, Thomas Townswick, D. M. Anderson, Erick Henderson, Hannah Odson, Anna Charlson, Nina Knutson, Anna Charlson, Nina Knutson, Anna and Stella Seymour, Anna Teigland and Caroline Espe.

In 1907 he was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Gabrielson of Graettinger. To this union four children were born: Genevieve, a teacher at Dallas, Ia.; Fern, a teacher at Algona, Ia.; Jerome and Kenyon at Randall.

Mr. Pederson was engaged in the blacksmith business in Randall for many years. His customers from miles around Randall will miss him a great deal because he was one of the best mechanics in this territory and a very pleasant man to deal with. In fact, we can say he had more friends than any businessman in town. His place will be hard to fill.

He was a zealous church-man. For many years he served as janitor for his church, not because he had to, but because he found great enjoyment in this work, as he expressed himself many times. In this work as janitor he was faithful and the parishioners owe him thanks because he kept the church so comfortable at all times. Here too he will be missed. The church bell, which he rang so many times when others were buried, will now ring the last time for him.

He was of a sympathetic nature. When someone in the church died he was always ready with a list to gather money for flowers and memorial gifts to missions. Many beautiful flowers have been placed on the caskets in this church, and many dollars have been sent to missions thru his efforts.

As a husband and father, though strict at times, he was kind and very much devoted to his home.

For weeks after he was taken sick he was very much concerned about his spiritual welfare. He told the doctors to read the Bible to him, which they did. The verse he found much comfort in was: "All that the father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I shall in no wise cast out." John 37:6.

As before stated, he will be missed by a host of friends, but still more so by his two brothers and four sisters: John of Boone, Thomas of Fort Dodge, Anna and Julia of Ames, Rachael and Mrs. Alvina Sopeland of Randall. But most of all will he be missed by those who stood nearest to him in life: his wife and the four children.

Short funeral services were held at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon at the home, and at 2 o'clock at the Elim Lutheran church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. G. O. Paulsrud. At the home the pastor sang, "I know of a Sleep in Jesus' Name." Before the services at the church a quartet composed of Ole Sopeland, J. H. Brekken, S. M. Teigland and Theo. Hoversten sand "That Beautiful Land." At the close of the sermon a song, "O Bread of Life from Heaven," was rendered by Mrs. Clarence Larson, Miss Alyce Ness organist. Burial in Mt. Olive cemetery. Pall bearers were P. J. Oland, J. H. Brekken, S. M. Teigland, Martin Nelson, John S. Larson and Ed Erickson. Honorary pall bearers: Dr. Willson, Julius Miller, John Peterson, T. M. Larson, N. J. Peterson and Richard Anderson. The flowers were many and beautiful.

Wednesday afternoon a crowd estimated to be 1200 or more gathered at the church to pay their last respects to their fellow-businessman and friend. People began gathering very early and at one o'clock the church was filled to capacity. Other seating facilities were then arranged and a loud speaker was attached for the benefit of those unable to find room, and gathered in the church parlors. Prior to the funeral service, a chime vesper musical hour was recorded to the audience. Mr. Pederson was a great lover of music, and especially sacred music.

In his memory $28.65 was given to missions and parochial school by his friends.