Richard Pederson, former Cottage Grove mayor, dies

• Richard Pederson

Richard Pederson, who served as the mayor of Cottage Grove from 1988 to 1992, died Wednesday. He was 77.

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Richard “Dick” Pederson, a former labor leader and Cottage Grove mayor, died Wednesday. He was 77.

Pederson served as the city’s mayor for four years, from 1988 to 1992. The former meat cutter, Minnesota AFL-CIO leader, Army veteran, Lions Club and American Legion member also served as president of the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Cottage Grove Economic Development Authority as recently as 2004.

He died early Wednesday at the Southview Acres Health Center in West St. Paul. The cause of death was not immediately available.

Pederson was born Jan. 6, 1935, in Bartley Township, N.D. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Maxine, five children, 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th St. S., Cottage Grove, with a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m., Monday, Aug. 27 at All Saints Lutheran Church, 8100 Belden Blvd, Cottage Grove.

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