Ruth Pedersen

Ruth Pedersen, 85, of Northwood, ND passed away Monday, April 24, 2017 at Northwood Deaconess Health Center in Northwood. Funeral service will be held Friday, April 28, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Northwood Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northwood. A visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the church.

Ruth Eileen Nelson was born on August 20, 1931 in Grand Forks, ND to Arthur S. and Margaret (Geddes) Nelson. She grew up on the Nelson farm near Northwood, ND and confirmed her faith in the Northwood Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1945. She graduated from Northwood High School in 1949, worked one year for her father in the Northwood Farm Supply Office and then attended the University of North Dakota where she graduated summa cum laude in 1954. She majored in Business Administration and minored in English and French.

On June 6, 1954, she married Willard Pedersen, the son of Arlie and Cora Pedersen, also of Northwood. They made their home in Northwood until 1961 when they moved to the Nelson farm. In 1978 they moved back into Northwood. Since 1996 they have spent winters in Sun Lakes, AZ, returning to Northwood for the summers.

Willard and Ruth farmed in the Northwood area. In addition Ruth taught in the Northwood High School from 1958 to 1964. She served as the Northwood Evangelical Lutheran Church secretary from 1966 to 1976. Beginning in 1974 she worked many years during the tax season as a tax accountant for Johnson and Lawrence Law.

Ruth enjoyed her membership in the NELC women's group and the GFWC Northwood Literary Club. She also enjoyed bridge playing in two bridge clubs, reading, crossword puzzles, Hardanger stitchery and recording Northwood history, co-authoring the Northwood History Book and the Northwood Tornado Book. Ruth just loved this town.

Ruth is survived by her husband Willard, her daughter Jan (Paul) Steffen of Plymouth, MN, her son Scott (LuAnn) Pedersen of Northwood, granddaughters Shawn Thorvilson of Larimore, Betsey (Derek) Gillespie of Northwood, grandson Bryan Pedersen of Northwood, great grandchildren Derek, Jaden and Hunter Thorvilson and McKayla Gillespie, sister-in-law Audrey Nelson of Fargo, nieces Kris (Greg) Troland of West Fargo, Kathy (Cornell) Hofer of Fargo, Karla (Doug) Lewton of Bison, SD, and nephew Mitchell Nelson of Grand Forks. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Norval Nelson.