Monroe Pederson

     Monroe Pederson, 94, of Hatton, ND, passed away Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Sanford Hospital in Mayville, ND. A memorial service will be held Friday, November 11, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Hatton. A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.

     Monroe Pederson was born in Northwood, North Dakota in 1928. He lived in the nearby small towns of Larimore, ND, for grades K-2 and in Hatton, ND, from the third through the sixth grade. Then his family moved to Los Angeles, CA. Monroe returned to Hatton in 1944 and graduated from Hatton HS in 1946 after which he enrolled at the University of California in Los Angeles. He graduated from UCLA in 1950 and then served in the Army during the Korean War. After his discharge from the Army in 1952, he married Jean Bjerke of Hatton, ND. They accepted teaching positions in Porterville, CA and moved to Porterville in 1952. Monroe continued his career in public education while earning his Ed.D. degree at the University of Southern California. He retired as Director of Personnel from the Redlands Unified School District in California in 1988.

     Monroe was very active in community affairs as a member of the A.V. Kiwanis Club, Lancaster Elks and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. He also sang in the A.V. Barbershop Chorus and in retirement he was an avid golfer, an energetic advocate for Peace and Justice and good government issues.

     Monroe is survived by his daughter, Rachel of La Habra, CA and son, Eric.

     Preceding him in death were his parents, Melvin and Esther Pederson; wife, Jean; and sister, Mary Robison.

     In lieu of flowers please send memorials to St. John Lutheran Church, 420 7th St., Hatton, ND 58240.