Rose Pederson, 94, of Watertown, formerly of New Effington and Sisseton, went to her heavenly home on May 16, 2016. Rose was born October 17, 1921 to Wenzel (Jim) and Ogot (Edgren) Broz on their farm near New Effington. She attended country schools in Lien Township near her home and graduated from New Effington High School, with honors, in 1939. After graduation she worked at the Bank of New Effington. While working as a teller, she met Clarence Pederson, a farm neighbor who was returning from military service in World War II. Rose and Clarence were married on June 24, 1947 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. After their marriage the couple purchased the Pederson family homestead in 1948 and farmed for 25 years. She was a proud homemaker, enjoyed cooking, baking, quilting and helping with farm work. Rose hosted many Pederson family gatherings on the family farm. Rose was a faithful member of Faith Lutheran Church and the Read-Veflin Post #180 Auxiliary. After retirement from farming in 1974, Rose and Clarence moved to Sisseton where Rose worked with the Grace Lutheran Quilters group and proudly helped make hundreds of quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Rose enjoyed flowers, rainbows, feeding and watching birds and had a special fondness for butterflies. Clarence passed away in 2005 and in 2007 Rose moved to Benet Place Independent Living in Watertown. While living there she made dozens of knit caps for newborns at Prairie Lakes Hospital. Her "great joy" was her family, grandchildren, great grandchildren, relatives and friends. Rose's philosophy was, "family always comes first."
She is survived by her children Clarence Jr. and wife Sandy Pederson of Vermillion, SD, Robert and wife Phyllis Pederson of Wilton, ME and Shirley and husband Dr. Roger Carter of Watertown, SD; grandchildren, Katie and husband Matt Leckenbusch of Greenville, SC, Jenna Rose Pederson of Wilton, ME, Jason and wife Claudia Carter of Elk Grove, California and Valerie and husband Matt Haugstad of Moorhead, MN; great-grandchildren, Annalise and Jacob Leckenbusch, Lucas and Lily Carter and Walter Haugstad; two sister-in-laws, Doris Pederson of Rosholt, SD and Irene Johnston of Aurora, Colorado, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rose is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two brothers, Arthur and wife Delores Broz and Roy and wife Adaline Broz.
Visitation will be Friday, May 20 at Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a prayer service at 6:00 pm. A Celebration of her Life will be Saturday, May 21 at 2:00 pm in Faith Lutheran Church, New Effington, with Pastor Cheryl Rondeau-Bassett officiating and organist will be Debra Bredvik and soloist Keith Bostrom. Pallbearers will be Rose's children, spouses and grandchildren. Burial will be in the Sisseton Cemetery. Benet Place in Watertown will host a Memorial Service on Thursday, May 26th at 1:30 pm in the independent living dining hall.
Memorials may be sent to Faith Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.