Marlene Pederson, 77, Rural Minot, died Monday, August 26, 2013 at Trinity Cancer Care Cottage.

Marlene was born September 25, 1935 at Antler, North Dakota, the daughter of Sofus and Selma (Feland) Thompson. She was raised on the family farm near Antler and educated at country schools near Antler. After attending Antler High School for two years, she attended Minot High School, where she graduated in 1953. She attended Minot State College and later received her Registered Nursing degree in 1956 from Trinity's School of Nursing.

Marlene was united in marriage to Richard Pederson on September 22, 1956 in Minot. They made their home on a farm southwest of Minot, where they raised their four children. Marlene was employed as a registered nurse at Trinity Medical Center for several years early in their marriage.

Dick and Marlene served the Lord by serving others through Our Redeemers Lutheran Brethren Church throughout the years. They enjoyed inviting people into their home to share a meal and to deepen relationships with both new and old friends. It took a lot of mashed potatoes and beef over the years, and Marlene always had the pantry and freezers full of canned vegetables and frozen desserts. What about those buns and that amazing strawberry jam? That was proof of the love she poured into everything she did. She loved doing things for others and for her family. She would always drop what she was doing to help others and yet seemed to get her stuff done too. Marlene worked with all of Christ\'s energy that he powerfully worked in her. (Col. 1:29) They were charter members of Our Redeemers church. She taught children\'s Sunday school for many years.

Marlene served as past president of the Women's Missionary Fellowship, and was active with singing groups, bible studies and various other duties within the Church. She was a board member for the Minot Christian Women's Club. She hosted a "Day on the Farm" for 4th graders under the auspices of the Ward County Farm Bureau, hosted foreign exchange students from Sweden, Germany, Japan and Taiwan, as well as Agricultural Exchange participants from Egypt and Romania.

Marlene's loving family includes , husband, Dick Pederson, rural Minot, children, Kevin (Diana) Pederson, Aurora, CO; Richard "Pete"(Shelly) Pederson, Minot, and Larissa (Ted) Sweeney, Portland, OR; grandchildren, Bradley Pederson and fianc, Alyx Theobald, Jordan (Jordan) Pederson, Derek Pederson, Karsten Pederson, Mace Sweeney and Alexis Sweeney; brothers, Justin (Phyllis) Thompson of Antler, Gabriel (Donna) Thompson of Antler; sisters, Verdine (Ernie) Jelleberg of Bottineau, Sylvia (Virgil) Christianson of Carson City, NV, Arlys (Gary) Mathis of Gonvick, MN; and Twyla Larson of Fargo; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, son, Brian, sisters, Swanhild Morrison and Inez Thompson.

Funeral service : Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in Our Redeemer's Church.
Interment : Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation : Tuesday from 2:00-7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers or plants, the family prefers memorials to Our Redeemer\'s Church, Trinity Hospice or an organization of the donor's choice.