Gladys Marien Pederson

Gladys Marien Pederson, 96, passed away peacefully and comfortably, surrounded by her family, at Glenwood Retirement Village on June 16. Funeral Services will be held at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church on Wednesday, June 21 at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Benson.

The daughter of Nelvin and Magda (Ostby) Retrum, she was born in West Bank Township on May 22, 1921. She graduated from Appleton High School in 1939. Gladys married James Pederson on the home farm on September 24, 1943. Except for a short time in El Paso, Texas while Jimmy was stationed there, they lived in Benson for over 65 years in the house they built on 10th Street South. Though Gladys worked in several jobs after high school and early in her marriage, including at two banks, she always maintained her true work was as a wife, mother, and grandmother. The Pedersons were long-time members of Our Saviors and then Our Redeemer´s Lutheran Church. Gladys served as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, Altar Guild and ALCW member, quilter, and contributor to the annual church smorgasbord. Well into her eighties she volunteered to operate the commercial dishwasher there for church functions. Gladys enjoyed traveling, sewing, baking, quilting, reading and playing Rook; but she really enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren both in Minnesota and Wisconsin. She was a true servant, visiting shut-ins and singing at the Golden Living Center every Friday until early in her nineties. Gladys was proud of her Norwegian heritage and was a faithful member of the Sons of Norway. She also loved her neighbors!

Gladys is survived by her son, Gary Pederson of Howell, Michigan and her daughters Jean (Harry) Hindson of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Julie (Craig) Knutson of Clinton, Wisconsin, and Janice (Chuck) Evenson of Benson, Minnesota; eight grandchildren: Sean (Greta) Evenson, Kyle Knutson, Alyssa (Trent) Rademacher, Kallie (Jordan) LaPier, Erin (Eric) Schlieman, Ellen Hindson, Maren Knutson, and Abigail Hindson; two great-grandchildren, Reese and Brinley Evenson, with twin great-grandsons expected in August; sister, Irene (Roger) Ahrndt; sisters-in-law, Sylvia Retrum and Beth Pearson; brother-in-law, Verdie Ellingson; 21 nephews and nieces; and many friends.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jimmy, in 2002; daughter-in-law, Sandra; brothers, Irvin and Ray; sister, Norma Ellingson; sister-and brother-in-law, Mildred and Harold Kiehne; brother-in-law, Bud Pearson; and niece, Janel Ahrndt.

The family would like to thank the staff at both Parkview Manor and Glenwood Retirement Village for their outstanding care in the last couple of years and to her neighbors on and near tenth street who looked out for her. Thanks also go to Melanie from Our Redeemer´s and other people from Benson (you know who you are!).