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Jerome “Jerry” Allen Pederson, age 78, of Moose Lake, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 26, 2024, at Solvay Hospice House with his family and care team by his side.
Jerry was born June 21,1945 in Slayton, MN to Martin and Hilda Pederson. Jerry and his twin sister, Judy, were the youngest of eight siblings. He grew up on a family farm in Westbrook. In between farm chores and school, Jerry played different sports including football, track, and wrestling and loved participating in choir. He graduated from Westbrook High School in 1963. After graduation, Jerry lived in southern Minnesota and Kansas.
In 1976, Jerry entered sobriety and on January 8, 2024, Jerry proudly celebrated his 48th year of sobriety. Shortly into his recovery, Jerry found his passion for human services, becoming a substance use disorder counselor in northern Minnesota.
Jerry often shared that his life’s purpose was to serve others. This happened not only throughout his professional career, but also through volunteering. After retirement from the State of Minnesota in 2003, Jerry volunteered in a variety of activities, groups, and committees, proudly serving as a Moose Lake Community School school board member, the Carlton County Health and Human Services Advisory Committee Chair, a Minnesota Deer Hunter’s Association Quad Rivers Chapter member, a firearms instructor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, a reading volunteer in Barnum schools, and an active member of the Barnum Community United Methodist Church. His dedication to service extends after death, as he donated his body to the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Anatomy Bequest Program in support of medical students’ education.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Hilda and Martin Pederson; brothers, Lloyd and Don; sisters, Anna, Harriett, LaDonna, and Alice; and granddog, Odin.
He is survived by his twin sister, Judy (Dave) Nealy; daughter, Jensina (Tyler) Rosen and son, Jacob Pederson; grandchildren, Lilyana and Aidan Rosen; “bestest friend” Sue Jordan; close friend and pastor, Kendall Carlson; and numerous friends, family, and community members.
The family sends their deepest gratitude to his Essentia Home Hospice and Solvay Hospice House care teams.
A celebration of life will be held at the Barnum Community United Methodist Church on Friday, February 23, 2024, with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. memorial service, followed by a 12:00 p.m. (Noon) luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Miller Dwan Foundation’s Solvay Hospice Compassionate Care Legacy Fund in Jerry’s memory.
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