The funeral service for Karen O. Pederson, Valley City, ND will be 10:30 am Saturday, March 9, 2024 at St. Petri Lutheran Church, Nome, ND. Visitation will be 5-7 pm Friday at Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley
City, with a prayer service at 7 pm. The casket will be closed. Visitation will continue one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be in St. Petri Cemetery. Karen passed away at her home on March 4, 2024.
Karen Olga Harland was born on November 23 rd , 1944, in rural Barnes County, North Dakota, daughter of Palmer and Annie (Thoreson) Harland. Karen grew up on a farm north of Nome, North Dakota. She attended Lindvold School, northwest of Nome, and Nome High School where she graduated in 1963. Growing up, Karen assisted on the farm with chores, cooking, and taking care of animals and siblings. Karen met Charles Pederson in Nome at the café one day…Charles and Karen were married on March 20th, 1965. The newlyweds moved to Valley City, North Dakota and on a hot day August 11, 1969, their only child, a son, was born, Todd Charles.
While raising their son, Karen also found time to work several jobs. She worked at Green Valley Laundry, The Eagles Club, The Sheyenne Care Center, Mercy Hospital, Case, and Vanesco Electronics to name a few. At each place of employment, she made many friends, and she was very happy to know and share stories with them all. Karen was also an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins and the NDSU Bison. Karen had many past times. She enjoyed having coffee and visiting friends and family. Karen was a member of the Valley City Eagles Club. She also belonged to several bowling leagues. Attending Bingo, playing cards, or going to the casino was never turned down. Whatever activity she was doing, laughing was always involved.
Karen cherished being a mother and enjoyed her house. She was an excellent cook and baker. Her homemade buns were amazing and her lefse was second to none.
Karen cherished her family. She enjoyed her brothers and sisters and loved them dearly. She cared for her parents with all her heart. All her nieces and nephews were all very special to her. Watching Karen interact with her family was witnessing true love.
It must be known, Karen remembered everyone. She knew and remembered everyone’s name, what they were up to, their plans and ambitions and the only reason is because she truly cared!
Karen is survived by her son, Todd, and wife Jennifer and her four precious grandchildren Izaach Pederson, Maris (fiancé Aaron Kemntz) Pederson, Sophie Pederson, and Eli Pederson. Karen is also survived by one sister Susie (Keith) Colville, Valley City; one brother Douglas (Peggy) Harland, Nome; in-laws Bill Hill, Valley City, Jerry Smith, West Fargo, Larry (LeAnn) Pederson, Rapid City, South Dakota, Jeannie Johnson, Fargo; Sandi Orth, Mobridge South Dakota, Cindy (Dale) Johnson, Rapid City, South Dakota, Gary (Laurel) Lindemann, Enderlin and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 57 years, Charles; sisters Marilyn Buttke, Earlis Hill, and Beverly Kunze; brothers Charles Harland and Jerry Harland.
Memorials may be directed to VC DAV (Disabled American Veterans) % Jim Drong, 1120 5 th St NE #307, Valley City, ND 58072
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel. An online guestbook is available at olivernathanchapel.com