Marvin Glen Pederson

Marvin Glen Pederson, 79, was called home on May 18, 2014, from the Pioneer Home in Fergus Falls.

He was born July 20, 1934, in Underwood, Minnesota, to Morris and Gladys Pletan Pederson. He was baptized and confirmed in Underwood. He attended school in Underwood, Minnesota and Long Beach, California.

On August 30, 1952, he married Delores Bengtson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. They moved to Dyersburg, Tennessee and eventually settled in rural Erhard, Minnesota, where they were blessed with five children.

Marvin could accomplish anything he set his mind to do. As a very young man he learned the importance of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. While in California at the age of 14 he helped train horses with the Long Beach mounted police and was invited to join them on horseback in their first debut at the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena. He moved back to Minnesota where he fell fast in love with Delores, his wife of 62 years. He started farming and working with heavy equipment, which eventually would be his craft. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic, he was an avid learner with unlimited energy and courage. He and his sons would run a logging business and bait shop, among many other adventures. He worked for Otter Tail County for 24 years, both in the Otter Tail County jail and as a heavy equipment operator.

Marvin was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Erhard, and served on the council as President.

Marvin loved his wife and family and was a devoted father and husband. He loved gardening and tending to the many plants, flowers and trees that flourished at his hand. He was generous to a fault. Anyone, family and strangers, who stopped by the house were welcomed to a feast and left the house with food in hand. Marvin had a special place in his heart for animals -- No four-legged or feathered friend ever went hungry. If the neighborhood dog was missing, it could usually be found sitting at his feet, eating a nice bowl of roast beef. Every cat within five miles knew they could find a full bowl of milk at his doorstep. Marvin's compassion for the meek and the weak was unmatched.

Marvin is survived by his loving wife, Delores; five children, Marvin Jr. (Ann) Pederson, Deanna (Paul) Harvego, Jerry (Kim) Pederson, Donna (John) Burns, Jim (Jody) Pederson; step sister Barbara (Ron) Askamit; stepbrothers Robert Swenson and Richard (Marsha) Swenson, and 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father Morris, mother Gladys, sister Arlene, and grandsons Ryan Harvego and Adam Pederson.

Visitation: one hour prior to the service at the church
A celebration of Marvin's life will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Erhard on Friday, May 23 at 11:00 a.m.
Clergy: Pastor Brad Soenksen and Pastor Harry Olson
Interment: Bagstevold Cemetery, Erhard, MN
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls

Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com