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.