Dale Pederson

There will be a gathering of friends and family and time of sharing on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 beginning at 6:00 p.m. with the service at 7:00 p.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Rolla ND. Funeral Services will be at the church on Wednesday, May 10th at 11:00 a.m. with burial in the Rolla Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Dale and Martha Hawk Museum or Rolette School Dollars for Scholars in memory of Dale. 

Dale is in the care of the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake.

Dale Leonard Pederson was born August 7th, 1944 in Minot, ND to George and Nonna (Herfindahl) Pederson.  Dale and his 2 sisters were raised in Devils Lake and Grand Forks before moving to what is now the family farm east of Rolette in 1959.  Dale completed high school in 1962 from Rolette Public School and later graduated from Mayville State College with a degree in education all the while helping his mother and father on the farm every chance he could.  He taught school in Wolford for 2 years before becoming a full time farmer with his father. 

 In 1969, Dale married Marge Haman of Rugby and lived in Rolette for a few years before making their home on the family farm.  They had 2 children and Dale instilled his love of family and farming, his dedication to an honest day’s work and his stewardship of the land to both of his children.  Dale farmed the family land first with his own father and then with his son. 

 Throughout his life, Dale was completely dedicated to his volunteer work at the Dale and Martha Hawk Museum.  He was one of the founding board members of the antique farm show which started in 1990 and he could be found at the entrance gate during the show every single year.  He looked forward to this event each summer and enjoyed meeting new people and seeing all the returning faces from year to year.  Dale was also an active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Rolla and could often be found in the side room during services running the microphone system.  He served as a director on the rural fire board for 30 years. Although the idea of retirement from farming never crossed his mind, in his later years Dale did agree to traveling some during the winters and enjoyed meeting new people and making lasting friendships along the way.

 Dale’s seven grandchildren were the light of his life.  Dale and Marge started the tradition of celebrating the seven birthdays with a birthday breakfast at Linda’s cafe in Rolette and each grandchild looked forward to those.  He loved following their interests which often included a lot of time watching basketball games.  He listened intently when they shared their stories from school or extra curricular events.  He was extremely proud of each of them and loved to share stories of their individual accomplishments.  He passed on his love for animals, particularly cats and dogs, to his grandchildren and after the work was done for the day, could often be found with a bowl of ice cream, a grandchild, and a dog at his side. 

 Dale passed away on May 5, 2023 surrounded by his family in Comfort Care at Presentation Medical Center in Rolla, ND.

 Dale is survived by his wife, Marge, of 54 years, his daughter, Cynthia (Matt) Tastad of Rolette and son Ryan (Jennifer) Pederson of Rolette and his grandchildren Sydney, Eva, Nate and Brett Tastad, Ella, Eryn and Eli Pederson, all of Rolette. Sisters Ilonna Pederson, New York City; Morna Pederson-Rambo, Oklahoma City; Brother-in-law Ken (Judy) Haman, Surrey; Sisters-in-law Della (Mitch) Gaschk, Bismarck; Kayleen (Randy) Yoder, Devils Lake; Donna (Gary) Ryan, Alexandria, MN; Mother-in-law Betty Haman, Park View Assisted Living Rolla;and many nieces and nephews

 He was preceded in death by his parents George and Nonna Pederson, his father-in-law Daniel Haman, and three brothers-in-law Eldon Brossart, Howard Oggard and Harold Pederson-Rambo.