Erwin R. Pedersen

Erwin R. Pedersen, 74, Beardsley, MN, died Monday, January 3, 2011, at the Browns Valley Health Center in Browns Valley, MN.     Funeral services were Thursday, January 6, at 10:00 a.m. at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Beardsley with Rev. Paul Warnier officiating. Music was provided by organist Kathy Issendorf and vocalists Sue Sykora and Stacey Borgheiinck.     Burial was in the Valley View Cemetery, Browns Valley. Honorary pallbearers were Bill Gibson and Francis Sykora. Active pallbearers were Greg Sykora, Wayne Lemmerman, John Tracy, Jr. Diekmann, Donny Sykora, and Danny Sykora.     Visitation was Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Beardsley. Visitation continued Thursday one hour prior to the service at the church.      Erwin Roger Pedersen was born December 24, 1936, in Bellingham, MN, to Walter and Elsie (Nelsen) Pedersen.     On December 1, 1956, Erwin married Christine Abbie Hansen at Zion Lutheran Church in Browns Valley. He lived and farmed in the Beardsley area his entire life.     Erwin enjoyed farming and flying his planes. He also enjoyed camping and going to auctions. Erwin loved being with his family and close friends. He especially loved his grandkids and watching them grow up.     Survivors include his wife, Christine of Beardsley; a son, Robert Allen (Sarah Tate) Pedersen of Beardsley; former daughter-in-law, Peggy Reich of Browns Valley; three grandchildren, Kayla Marie Reich, Daniel James Pedersen, and Shelby Lynn Pedersen; two brothers, Charles "Chuck" (Beverly) Pedersen of Wilmot, SD, and Roy Pedersen of Beardsley; and a sister, Connie Diekmann of Beardsley.     Erwin was preceded in death by a son, Roger Erwin Pedersen; his parents, Walter and Elsie Pedersen; and two brothers, Harold Pedersen and David Pedersen.