Cathy Pederson

Cathy J. Pederson, age 64 of Willmar, passed away Saturday morning at her residence following a courageous fight against cancer.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 1, at Calvary Lutheran Church.  Visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 30, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church.  Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Cathy J. Pederson was born on September 7, 1956, in Fargo, North Dakota, the daughter of Clifford and Blanche (Bakken) Ertsgaard.  She grew up in Fargo and moved to Willmar at a young age with her family.  She graduated from Willmar High School in 1974 and attended the secretarial program at Willmar Community College.  On May 15, 1976, Cathy was united in marriage to Daryl W. Pederson and they made their home in Willmar.  She worked at First Federal Savings & Loan and then for Dick Arne at Eagle Realty.   For the past 29 years, Cathy has been employed by Kandiyohi County as the Chief Deputy Auditor.  She also served as an election official for Kandiyohi County for many years.  Cathy was an active member of Calvary Lutheran Church.

Cathy enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  She had very fond memories of family time in Otter Tail.  Cathy & Lynnette were avid patrons of the Barn Theatre.  She enjoyed card-making, shopping trips (she loved a good coupon!), cooking, trying new recipes, kitchen gadgets and dinner with friends.  She loved decorating for the holidays—Christmas was her favorite!  She spent time traveling to Mexico, hanging out at the cabin, reading, being a Hockey Mom/Grandma, house projects with Daryl and spoiling her grandkids.  Her smile and kind heart will be greatly missed by all who knew her!

She is survived by her husband, Daryl; two sons, Nicholas (and Amanda) Pederson of Willmar and Troy (and Bridget) Pederson of Willmar; three grandchildren, Avery, Brooklyn and Bria Pederson; one brother, Dennis (and Judy) Ertsgaard of Bloomington and a niece, Andrea Bien and her family, besides other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford Ertsgaard, Blanche Ertsgaard-Berger and her stepfather, Stan Berger and her best friend, Lynnette Schirmers.