Hazel Pederson

Hazel was born on September 5, 1914 in Milan, Minnesota. Her parents were Christian and Johanna (Olson) Svingen. She grew up in the Lake Hazel area of Swift County. In 1932, she graduated from Benson High School and went on to complete a course in Teacher's Training. For the next ten years she taught at several country schools in Pope and Swift Counties.





On June 1, 1944, Hazel married Calvin Pederson at Lake Hazel Lutheran Church in rural Swift County. They lived in Jensen Beach, Florida for one year while Calvin was stationed there, after which, Hazel returned to Benson while her husband was stationed overseas. They lived in East Lansing, Michigan for three years following the war. In 1949, they moved back to the family farm southwest of Starbuck. They lived there for over 50 years, working side by side and raising their family of three children. After Calvin's death, Hazel lived at the Minnewaska Apartments in Starbuck until she moved to the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in 2001.





Hazel's faith and her family were very important to her. She was active in her church; teaching Sunday school, directing the Junior Choir and participating in her Circle and Ladies Aid. She was also a member of the Minnewaska Lutheran Home Auxiliary. Hazel enjoyed quilting, sewing, baking, gardening, playing cards, rosemaling and ceramics. She also enjoyed the three trips she and Calvin made to Norway, where they met several of her Norwegian relatives. Hazel and Calvin also enjoyed attending Landings Laget events.





Hazel died on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck, having lived to reach the age of 92 years.





She is survived by three children: Tom (Diane) Pederson of Rochester Hills, MI, Dale (Patti) Pederson of Andover and Carol (Wayne) Jorgenson of Eden Prairie; seven grandchildren: Lesli (Jim) Maes, Greg Pederson, Erik Pederson, Tom Pederson, Sonja Pederson, Michael Jorgenson and Lindsay (Mark) Narayan; two great-grandchildren: Greta and Calvin Maes; one sister: Ruth Frederickson of Benson; one brother: Rueben Svingen of Worthington and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; sister: Esther (Arnold) Gomer; brothers: Thov, who died at age 6, Trygve (Gladys) Svingen and Thov (Doris) Svingen; brother-in-law: Don Frederickson and sister-in-law: Ruth Svingen.





Pallbearers for the service are: Jim Frederickson, Mark Frederickson, Rolfe Gomer, Bruce Svingen, David Svingen, Gary Svingen, Kris Svingen, Paul Svingen and Terry Svingen. Honorary pallbearers are all the staff at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck. Monica Gosseling will serve as organist for the service with Rev. Rebecca Worner providing special music. Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck is in charge of the arrangements.