Helen Emma Pedersen

Pedersen, Helen b. July 25, 1917 – d. April 19, 2017 Helen Emma Pedersen went peacefully to be with God in the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 19, 2017. Her tired, almost-100-year-old heart can now rest in peace. She is survived by two daughters, Marlyce Pedersen (John Rich) of Tequesta, Florida and Linnea Connors (Lowell Niles) of Malone, New York; two grand-daughters Meghann (Kris Olds) and Courtney (Josh Duran); and three great-grandsons Aeden, Zackery and Nickolas Olds, all of Tampa, Florida; and many nieces and nephews and extended family in the mid-west, including Pat (Larry Hoffbauer) of Sunman, Indiana. She was pre-deceased by her dear husband and partner, Rev. Dr. Ruben Pedersen; youngest daughter, Miriam; parents George and Hattie Koester of Forest Lake, MN; sisters Irene, Margie and brother George (Sonny). Among her many important life events are these: she was born in New Ulm, Minnesota, became a nurse anesthetist, served as Lieutenant in the army and was stationed in France during WWII. After returning she felt called to the mission field and was sent by the Lutheran church to Tanzania, East Africa, where she became the nurse in charge of a leprosy colony for 400 patients. She served in Tanzania from the late 40's to the early 60's, along the way acquiring a family of three girls when she married a widowed missionary pastor. She was support and help-mate to him during his years of service, including church posts in Switzerland with the Lutheran World Federation and then in New York City with the Board of World Missions. Upon his retirement from mission work they took on pastorship of a parish in Nescopeck, Pennsylvania for 8 years before retiring to Minneapolis, Minnesota where they resided at the Augustana Care Apartments for over 20 years. Following the passing of her husband, Ruben, on April 26, 2012, she subsequently moved to Florida to be near her daughter there. Her greatest desire was to be a positive witness to those around her: the aides who cared for her, the art teachers who expanded her horizons, the Bible partners, the fellow residents at the assisted living, the members of First Presbyterian Church who saw her come to church in her wheelchair every Sunday and enjoyed her mini-sermon-stories for the Sunday School kids, and continuing with all the doctors and nurses and staff in the various hospitals and re-hab centers over the past few years. "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." (Matthew 11:28, 20). Arrangements entrusted to Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, Jupiter.

Helen Emma Pedersen

November 25, 1917 - April 19, 2017