John Pederson

John’s service will be livestreamed below at 2:00 pm, Sunday, March 16, 2025

John Carroll Pederson age 96 was called home to the Lord on 2/24/2025. He was born on 10/8/1928 in Hillsboro, ND to John and Hazel (Larson) Pederson. John attended school in Hillsboro, graduating and then served in the Army and Army Reserve Corp from 1951 to 1956.
This good and faithful servant was a lifelong member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and indicated he would never paint on the Lords Day.

John lived most of his life here in Hillsboro and Fargo, North Dakota. His life interest has always been drawing and painting. His happiest times were when he was sitting in front of the easel with a brush in his hand. From the time he was a young child, John’s main interest was in the art work of Norman Rockwell, his Saturday Evening Post magazine covers that depicted pictures of homespun American life.

Prior to John entering the service, he bought a bus ticket to Stockton, Massachusetts, knocked on Rockwell’s front door and introduced himself as a fellow illustrator. He was invited in and became a guest in their home meeting and spending time with the rest of the family. Watching and listening as he learned much from this famous artist was one of the high points of his life.

John also loved his time on the golf course with his buddies and brothers, Neil and Lyle. Many stories to tell as he worked and played on the course. Some of his paintings can be found hanging in the Goose River Club House.

Most of all, John loved his family. He remained close to his siblings throughout his life and always enjoyed family gatherings. He always had time for his nieces and nephews and then the great nieces and nephews. He spent countless hours playing croquet, Clue, checkers, and card games with them over the years, and he always had a table, chair and paper for them to draw and paint on while he worked

John is survived by his brother Neil (Jo), Fargo, ND sisters Elaine Robinson, Red Wing MN, Sharon Burns New Salem, NC, Sandra Mustad (Allen), Hillsboro, ND, sister-in-law Ann Pederson, Grand Forks, ND, many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Lyle Pederson, sister, Muriel Wegge, brothers-in-law Gene Robinson, Loren Wegge and Bill Burns, nephew Kyle Hanson

Through his art, John along with his angel, touched our souls and left an indelible mark. His creativity will live on in the beauty he left behind. John always saw what the rest of us only catch a glimpse of and was so evident with the camera he carried most of the time. He lived and breathed art and the passion will live on through his work.

“I dream of painting and then I paint my dream” (Vincent Van Gogh)

Memorial Service at 2 PM Sunday, March 16, 2025 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro – with a visitation one hour prior. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Hillsboro at a later date.