Sharon "Sam" Elaine Pederson

Sharon “Sam” Pederson, 60, of Valley City, N.D., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 19, in her home. The funeral service will be 10:30 am, Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at Faith Lutheran Church, Valley City with visitation one hour before the funeral service. Sharon Elaine Pederson was born October 2, 1959, in Valley City to Clayton and Isabelle (Bous) Pederson. Sam was a spirited person and fit right in on the farm. She was tremendously athletic and nimble, and in the summer had no use for shoes. “Sam” was her name change choice at about age six, copied from the Holstein bull at the time. Sam had a natural talent for softball. On defense she knew exactly what to do about a step ahead of everyone else. She was playing on the girl’s slow pitch league, well above her age. In August of 1969, Sam suffered a traumatic brain injury and was in a coma for six weeks. She was not expected to live, wake up, talk, walk, take care of herself, anything. Well she wouldn’t have that. With her indomitable spirit she kept on living. Sam was left with severe seizures, an elevated temperature and balance issues. After recovery and for many years she was back at the barn helping. Sam graduated from VCHS in 1981. In 1988 she entered the day program at The Open Door Center (ODC). Sam participated in Special Olympics for many years. She loved music and went to many concerts. When a song came on the radio she often knew the artist and song and always sang along. In 2007, Sam left home and moved into one of the ODC Group Homes. She was an atypical client for Open Door in that she was more or less intellectually intact and could relate to staff in ways that many cannot. With the help of her friends at ODC, Sam was able to travel the US. Her favorite trips were to Hawaii, Branson and Medora. Sam greatly enjoyed the ODC and it was home. She has had a myriad of unusual illnesses and injuries and finally didn’t outlive her 9 cat lives. Sam had a twinkle in her eye and was always ready to pull your leg. She was a “foodie” like her mother, and an owner of many cookbooks. Sam enjoyed baking and cooking, and liked to search for new recipes. She embroidered countless dish towels and made hundreds of loomed scarves. Sam was an animal lover and may well have become a farmer like her other two siblings. Sam is survived by her brother Dennis (Gail) Pederson and sister Diane (Alvin) Wald; nephews Jesse Wald, Jason (Abby) Wald, Dylan (Rachel) Wald, Evan (Alex) Wilder, Blaine (Katie) Pederson and Marshall Pederson. She is also survived by nine great nieces and nephews; and aunts, uncles and cousins. Sam was preceded in death by her parents. Sam’s family wishes to extend our sincere thank you to the Open Door Center for their great and increasing support of Sam. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel of Valley City. An online guestbook is available at www.oliver-nathanchapel.com

Sharon "Sam" Elaine Pederson

October 2, 1959 - November 19, 2019