Axel Pedersen

Axel Harry Pedersen was born on June 21, 1914, in Brookings, SD, to Bertel and Annine (Westergaard) Pedersen, who had immigrated from Vrenstad, Denmark, in 1907. In 1920, the family moved to the Drake farm in Marsh Township southeast of Valley City. As a young man during the Great Depression, Axel worked at whatever jobs he could find, doing mostly farm labor. In 1939, he went to Spokane, WA, and worked in a paper mill. On March 20, 1942, he entered the United States Navy. He served as a Gunner’s Mate in the Armed Guard on a merchant marine ship that transported ammunition to our troops in the South Pacific. On September 16, 1945, he received an honorable discharge. On February 3, 1943, he married Auslaug Thoreson from rural Fingal, in Long Beach, CA. In 1946, they moved to the Percy Stewart farm west of Grandin and began farming. In 1954, Auslaug was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, a muscle-weakening disease that made her an invalid. Until her death in January of 1983, Axel was her primary caregiver. On December 26, 1983, Axel married Clara (Rood) Pederson in Valley City. He retired from farming in 1985, and they later moved to Valley City. Axel and Clara enjoyed traveling. They spent many winters in Arizona and later in Texas, near Clara’s daughter, Susan, and her family. One summer they drove their pickup and camper to Alaska. Axel was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Grandin and of Faith Lutheran Church in Valley City. He served on the Bohnsack Township Board, the Bohnsack School Board, and the Grace Lutheran Church council. He was a member of the Barnes Co. Museum and the VFW. An avid gardener and planter of trees, he enjoyed visiting with friends, neighbors, and relatives, and he especially liked having children around. The coffee pot was always on and he was usually ready for a game of cards. In September of 2006, he became a resident of the Aneta Parkview Health Center, Aneta, ND. Axel is survived by his wife, Clara, Valley City; four children: Daniel (Marlee) Pedersen, Lyons, CO; Gary (Janet) Pedersen, Harwood; Wayne (Dianne) Pedersen, Urbana, IL; and Eunice (Danny) Johnston, Fargo; and two stepchildren: Larry (Patty) Pederson, Valley City; and Susan (Paul) Phillips, Houston, TX. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Shawn Johnston, Nicholas (Kelly) Pedersen, Jodie Pedersen, Robert Pedersen, Laura Pedersen, Shauna Pederson, Tyler (Jamie) Pederson, Carl (Amber) Pederson, Erin Scheidt, and Trevor Wright as well as six great-grandchildren.

Axel Pedersen

June 21, 1914 - July 12, 2009