The funeral service for Avis M. Pederson of Albert Lea, formerly of Manchester will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the West Freeborn Lutheran Church. The Rev. Dennis Frank will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 on Friday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church. Following cremation, private interment will be in West Freeborn Lutheran Cemetery.
Avis died with the comforting care of Just Like Home Place on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. She was 93.
She was born on May 6, 1916, in Freeborn County, the daughter of Herman and Luella (Haakenson) Hanson.
She married Reynold Pederson and they made their home in Manchester. Avis was a telephone switchboard operator, first in her home and then for the Manchester- Hartland Telephone Company Avis worked for many, many years before retiring when she was almost in her 70s.
She was a lifelong member of West Freeborn Lutheran Church where she graciously served in many capacities including choir, altar guild, ladies’ aid and circle.
She enjoyed crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and loved her “senior” trips, especially traveling with friend Dorothy Petersen.
She will be greatly missed by her family including three children: Pat Peterson of Albert Lea, David (Nancy) Pederson of Clarks Grove, Sue (Mark) Evenson of Alden; grandchildren: Alan Reb of Hampton, Iowa, Randy Reb of Duluth, Tim Peterson of Albert Lea, Nick (Lisa) Pederson of Glenville, Emmylou (Bob) Allen of Glenville, Lacey Pederson of Albert Lea, Adam (Jody) Evenson of Lonsdale, Aaron (Angie) Evenson of Blue Earth; great grandchildren: Jeremiah (Amanda) Reb, Sarah Reb, Aleesha and Dominick Pederson, Macy Allen, Annabelle Allen, Brayden and Ethan Evenson; sister Barb Stensrud of Kansas City, Kan.; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Reynold, in 1991; her grandson, Jerry Reb; brother, Bud Hanson; and sons-in-law: Harvey Reb and Donald Peterson.
Avis will be remembered as always being the “caregiver”, loving to share her special tender loving care with all those she loved.