Charmian Elaine Pederson, 93

Charmian Elaine Pederson, 93, died Sept. 3, 2014, in Mesa, Arizona. 

She was born Aug. 25, 1921, in Kensal, North Dakota, to Elmer and Nana Bakke. She grew up in the Kensal area and after high school graduated from the secretarial program at the North Dakota State College of Science. In college she met her future husband, John Pederson. They were married Nov. 1, 1941. While John served in World War II, she worked in Jamestown, North Dakota and in the San Francisco area. After the war they settled in Jamestown. They eventually moved to Great Falls where she was a secretary for many years with an insurance company. 

In 1978, they both retired to their Bitterroot Lake place west of Kalispell. They enjoyed many years on the lake and traveling around the country in their motorhome. The last number of years they lived in the Mesa area. She loved playing the organ and crocheted hundreds of booties and caps, and gave them to local hospitals for newborns.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her older sister, Mildred, infant daughter, and granddaughter, Lori. 

She is survived by her husband, John of Mesa; younger brother, Winton of Severna Park, Maryland; son, Clinton of Kalispell; son, Duane of Kalispell; daughter, Debra of Mesa; son, Lee of Missoula; and a number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Services and a family gathering will be held at a later date.