JAMES MARTIN HENRY PEDERSON

JAMES MARTIN HENRY PEDERSON

Nov. 19, 1933–Sept.8, 2025

     James Martin Henry Pederson was born in Grand Marais, MN, just months after his family immigrated from Norway. The son of Reverend James Ove and Anna Eugena (Mathieson) Pederson, Jim grew up in various pastoral communities including Grand Marais, MN, Dowes, IA, Baudette, MN, and Duluth, MN. He graduated from Baudette High School in 1951, attended St. Olaf College for two years, and then served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as a corpsman aboard the USS Forrestal. After his service, he earned a degree in speech pathology from the University of Minnesota Duluth.

     Jim’s career began in education and later transitioned into the group health insurance industry, where he retired as Vice President of National Sales. While working in Beloit, WI, he met Ann, the love of his life, in a Milwaukee bar singing the St. Olaf fight song, “Um Ya Ya.” They married in 1962 and raised their family in Orono, MN, with four sons: Leif (Kari), Rolf (Jen), Karl (Shawn), and Jon (Heather), along with eleven cherished grandchildren.

     A devoted family man, Jim was also a passionate fisherman, loyal Vikings fan, and lifelong dog lover. He found peace in northern Minnesota, especially Grand Marais, Baudette and Grand Rapids, where he enjoyed fishing trips with his brothers and family. The cabin on Sugar Lake was a treasured gathering place.

     Jim and Ann welcomed their first dogs, Sven and Tina, just two weeks after marrying. Over the years, their home was filled with muddy paws, chewed shoes and unconditional love — at one point, they had 13 English Setters. Jim believed every tail wag was a gift and every bark a conversation.

     He was a proud member of the Sons of Norway, a Vikings season ticket holder since 1967, and a longtime member of Christ Lutheran Church in Maple Plain, MN.

     Jim is preceded in death by his infant brother Paul; sister Helen (Gary); brothers Ove and Gunnar (Gracia); and his parents. 

     He is s survived by his wife, Ann; his children, Leif (Kari), Rolf (Jen), Karl (Shawn) and Jon (Heather); grandchildren Braden, Tyler, Nathan, Alaina, Connor, Madeline, Isabelle, Max, Sofia, Olivia and Samatha; his brother, Paul (Kay); his sister-in-law Donna; nieces, nephews and many loving family and friends; and his beloved dog Stella.

     Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Christ Lutheran Church in Maple Plain, MN, 5084 Main Street E, Maple Plain, MN 55359. Visitation is at 1 p.m.

     Private burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

     Memorials preferred to the Department of Veteran Affairs, ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), or the Diabetes Association.