Clara Pedersen

Clara Martha Rood was born in Hubbard County, MN, the daughter of Dan O. and Anna (Gunderson) Rood, on February 25, 1918. She was baptized in the Lutheran Faith. The family moved to Chasley, ND, and then to south of Valley City, ND. Clara received her early schooling at King School and Ellis school, both south of Valley City. In 1936, she graduated from Valley City High School. After high school, she went on to study at the Chicago Hair Dressing Academy in Fargo, ND. She worked at the Bluebird Beauty Shop until her marriage. In 1942, she married Russell Pederson. They farmed 4 miles south of Valley City on the Pederson family farm. Two children were born of this marriage, Larry (Patty) Pederson, living on the family farm near Valley City, and Susan (Paul) Phillips of Houston, TX. Clara was a long time member of Faith (First) Lutheran Church, having attended Sunday School and Confirmation there. She taught Sunday School for many years, served on the church board, and was active in Ladies Aid and Circle. She was a 4-H Leader for nearly 20, and a member for the Marsh Club. Clara worked at the Fair Store in Valley City for 10 years, and hosted a tour to the Holy Lands and Rome. Her husband, Russell, passed away in 1977. In 1983, Clara married Axel Pedersen of Grandin, ND. They lived on Axel’s farm in Grandin until moving to Valley City. Axel died on July 12, 2009. Clara died July 14, 2011 at the Sheyenne Care Center in Valley City. She leaves her daughter, Susan (Paul) Phillips of Houston, TX and son Larry (Patty) Pederson of Valley City. She is also survived by Axel’s children, Dan (Marlee) Pedersen of Lyons, CO, Gary (Jan) Pedersen of Harwood, ND, Wayne (Diane) Pedersen of Urbana, IL, and Eunice (Dan) Johnston of Fargo, ND. Grandchildren, Shauna (Chad Dubuque) Pederson of Fargo, Tyler (Jamie) Pederson of Valley City, Carl (Amber) Pederson of Valley City, Erin (Kevin) Pesak of Missoula, MT, Trevor Wright (Sophie Harris) of Houston, TX, Shawn Pedersen, Nick (Kelly) Pedersen, Jody Pedersen, Bob Pedersen, Laura Pedersen; great grandchildren, Jayden and Nora Pederson, Elleanor Pederson, Hunter Scheidt, and Cierra and Ryland Pesak; a sister, Olive Olstad of Valley City; a sister-in-law, Mertice Rood of Valley City; a brother-in-law, Menzo Regnerus of Valley City; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Russell Pederson and Axel Pedersen; sister, Ilene Bonde; brothers, Harold and Dan “Bud” Rood; a sister, Dorothy Byberg Regnerus; and infant twin sisters.

Clara Pedersen

February 25, 1918 - July 14, 2011