Funeral Service for Byron A Pederson, 87, of Sisseton, SD will be held on Monday, February 3, 2014 at 1:00 PM at Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD with the Rev. William Schruba officiating. Organist will be Mona Greseth and soloist will be Jenny Nelson. Pallbearers will be Scott Finnesand, Mark Finnesand, Clarence Pederson, Calvin Pederson, Marv Olson, and Fred Suurmeyer. Interment will be in the Nidaros Cemetery, Hammer, SD. Visitation will be on Sunday, February 2, 2014 at the Cahill Funeral Chapel from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM with family present from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Byron Atley Pederson was born on May 8, 1926 in Lien Township, Roberts County, SD to Arthur and Martha (Fladland) Pederson. Byron grew up in the rural New Effington SD area and attended grade school at the Old Effington School. He attended high school in Claire City, SD and New Effington and graduated from New Effington High School in 1945.
Byron married Carol Manley on May 29, 1948. The first two years they were married they farmed in Minnesota Township, South Dakota then moved to Enterprise Township where they farmed until 1968. At that time they moved to Sisseton where Byron was employed by the Sisseton Public School as building and maintenance manager. He continued in that capacity for over 20 years until the fall of 1988 when he retired. Byron and Carol had four children: Betty Ann, Clayton, Gary, and Lori.
After retirement, Byron did various carpentry work around Sisseton and spent many hours volunteering at the Stavig House Museum in Sisseton. He was also very active with other community activities in Sisseton, and was a member of the Sisseton Square Dance Club for several years.
Byron was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton and served as Sunday school teacher, church council member and President, and was very active in the church men's group assisting with many of the Easter breakfasts served at Grace Lutheran. He was also an usher at church and at many funerals.
Byron enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and loved children. He always had a wood working project going on in his shop at the house and was often found with a child on his lap at social events.
Byron passed away on January 30, 2014 at his home in Sisseton. Byron is survived by his wife Carol of Sisseton, two sons: Clayton and wife Mary Pederson of Bellevue, IA and Gary and wife Ann Pederson of Sioux Falls, SD and one daughter, Lori and husband Steve Finnesand of Sisseton, SD, three grandchildren and one great granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Orren Pederson, one sister, InaLou Fisher, and daughter Betty Ann.