Ricki John Pederson

Ricki John Pederson, 48, of Greenbush, MN, joined his Heavenly Father, surrounded by family, peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 after a courageous fight with lung cancer. It was his wish to have his body donated to UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, with the hope of helping others.

Rick was born on March 28, 1965 to Arnold and Shirley Peterson in Greenbush, MN. He attended school in Greenbush where he was better known by his nickname “Fred.”

Rick joined the family business, Pederson & Sons Masonry, where he worked for many years alongside his father Arnie and brothers Larry and Bill.

After attending guide school in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana, Rick realized his dream to live there and moved to Hamilton, MT in 1998. He was a masonry contractor on the now famous Stock Farm, a Charles Schwab property previously owned by “the Copper King,” Marcus Daly.

Rick’s passion for hunting and fishing blossomed in the Bitterroot Mountains and on Flathead Lake – his favorite weekend camping destination.

Rick married his longtime partner, Lou (Colthart), in March of 2009 – celebrating nearly 12 years together. Soon thereafter, the couple returned to Rick’s hometown of Greenbush, MN to once again join the family business.

Rick’s love of hunting and fishing runs in the family and brother Bob often accompanied Rick to the family cabin and on fishing trips to Lake of the Woods.

Though Rick never lost his yearning for Montana, he was happy to be surrounded by his family and friends in Minnesota. Rick and Lou made a return trip to the Bitterroot Valley of Montana in August of this year and enjoyed a week-long adventure to the places they loved.

Rick is survived by his wife Lou (Colthart); parents Arnie and Shirley Pederson, Greenbush; brothers Larry (Cindy), Thornton, Colo.; Bob, Greenbush; sister Vicki Gast (Steve), Argyle, MN; and numerous beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and godchildren.

Rick was preceded in death by his grandparents Ole and Alvina Pederson and Barney and Frances Gonshorowski; brother, Bill; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A family memorial service was held at a later date.