Richard Pederson, 77

Richard Pederson, age 77, of Cottage Grove, died early Wednesday morning, Aug. 22, at Southview Acres Health Center in West St. Paul.

Richard Harvey Pederson was born Jan. 6, 1935, in Bartley Township, N.D., the son of Sylvester and Gladys (Skarloken) Pederson. He was raised in North Dakota and graduated from Wimbleton High School. On Sept. 5, 1956, he was united in marriage to Maxine Emily Hanson at Augustana Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, Minn. He served in the United States Army from 1956-1958.

Richard enjoyed politics, golf, and cooking, He was very civic-minded and heavily involved in the labor movement. In Fergus Falls, Richard worked 20 years as a meat cutter for the National Tea Meat Packing Plant. He was president of Local 310 Meat Cutters and the Trade and Labor Assembly. He was vice president of MN AFL-CIO from the 7th District. Richard was the labor liaison for Congressman Bob Bergland of the 7th District. He was a member of the Eagles and Elks Clubs. In 1975, Richard became job placement coordinator for the disabled for the Minnesota Department of Jobs & Training. He was president of the Economic Development Authority for Cottage Grove. Richard served as mayor of Cottage Grove from 1988-1992. He was past president of Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce and Lions. He was a member of the American Legion.

He is the beloved husband for 56 years of Maxine; loving father of Randina (Paul) Hurtt, Thomas, Kevin (Christina), Jeff (Tammy), Cory (Kathryn); 17 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; brother Gene (Ellen).

Richard was preceded in death by his daughter Cynthia Cerney; parents; two brothers and a sister.

Visitation 4-8 p.m. Monday at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th St. S., Cottage Grove. Funeral service 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, at All Saints Lutheran Church, 8100 Belden Blvd., Cottage Grove. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Kok Funeral Home, 651-459-2875.

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