Russell T. Pedersen

Russell Trygve Pedersen

At the age of 89 passed away peacefully September 27^th, 2023, with family members with him. Born in Jamaica Iowa, August 1^st, 1934, where he lived until the age of one. Moved to Minnesota in the Camby area where he grew up and graduated from high school in 1952. Moved to Long Prairie, MN later that year where he worked for a small trucking line for a year. Russell joined the Army and honorably served his country for two years. 1954 and 1955. He was sent to Fort Lewis in Tacoma Washington to train for voice radio operations and morse code. He was then assigned to the 1^st Division Regiment H.Q. Co. and was shipped overseas to Bamburg Germany. After being discharged from the army he came back to MN. Where he worked at a Case implement in Granite Falls. In 1957 he moved out to Tacoma WA. where he met Nancy Myers and they married June 7^th, 1957. He worked for Boeing aircraft for a year and then worked at WA. Natural Gas company for 10 years. Together they had 5 children. In 1968 the family moved to Carlos and then Alexandria MN. Russell worked for Northern Propane Co. and then Alexandria Light and Power for over two decades. Russell was an active member of his church. He drove the bus for a Christian singing group called, The Reachout Singers. Later in Russell’s life he made contact with his two sisters that he had never met before and was embraced by them and their families. It gave Russell much comfort to have questions of his heritage answered. Russell enjoyed gospel and polka music, making things out of wood, making people laugh and helping when he could.

Russell was preceded in death by David (stepson) and the love of his life, his beloved Nancy. Russell is survived by his sisters, Bernice and Arylce. Children, Pamela, Allen, Lynn, Bruce.

 11 grandkids, 14 great grandkids and 1 great great grandchild.