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Kurt Pederson

May 23, 1937-March 13, 2020

Kurt Lydell Pederson

passed away peacefully

on Friday, March 13th

with his beloved wife

Leslie and daughter Olivia

by his side at the age of 82

years. Kurt was born in

Noonan, ND and spent

much of his life in Minot,

ND helping his dad, Olaf

Pederson, on the family

farm. Kurt’s mother,

Florence Rude, passed

away when he was just

five years old. Olaf even-

tually moved them West

to Canby, OR.

Kurt resided most of his

life in Portland, Oregon

with wife Leslie Jean Ro-

binson. Kurt and Leslie,

having both been married

previously, joined lives

and embraced each

other’s children; Kurt’s

two sons Jeff and Neal

and Leslie’s children

Shannon and Sean whom

Kurt raised as his own.

Kurt and Leslie had a goal

to celebrate one more real

anniversary and on Leap

Day, February 29, 2020,

they reached their 48th

wedding anniversary to-

gether, embracing and ex-

changing their undying

love.

Kurt was a brilliant

man, decorated not in de-

grees or awards. He

served in the National

Guard. While he attended

college at Portland State

University, he didn’t com-

plete a degree, yet he

knew how to build and fix

just about anything as a

diesel mechanic and elec-

trician. He ran the heavy

equipment manufacturing

plant at Pierce Pacific for

34 years and then retired

at 60 to finally get a day

off. His work ethics were

elite with only his wis-

dom surpassing. He was

the man many would call

when they had problems

to solve. He had a strong

presence and was laconic.

When he spoke, all would

listen and admire.

He was a generous man

who believed in taking

care of our society and

did his part to help make

our world a better place.

His kind heart ached and

worried for those who

didn’t have his tools. He

would encourage all to be

prepared for the unk-

nown, to be frugal and to

help a stranger.

Kurt is survived by: his

wife Leslie, children

Olivia (John), Neal (Teri),

Jeff (Dawn), Shannon

Queen and Sean Queen

(Marlo), 13 grandchildren

and 2 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life

will be arranged when it

is again safe to gather. Un-

til then, think of Kurt as

you shelter in place with

a cup of black coffee and a

good show on Netflix.