Helen Pederson, 91, of Williston, ND, formerly of the Zahl-Grenora area, passed away Friday, September 14, 2018 at the Bethel Lutheran Home in Williston, ND. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston is assisting the family.

Helen was born on October 16, 1926 in rural Zahl, ND, the daughter of Henry and Mabel (Magnus) Peterson. She was raised and educated in the Zahl area and graduated from Zahl High School. On January 28, 1944, Helen was united in marriage to Paul B. Pederson in Culbertson, MT. They lived on Paul’s parent’s farm in Orthello Township, near Zahl. They farmed and started their family, later taking over the farming operation. They later moved into Grenora, while still farming. Helen worked at the Grenora Mercantile for awhile, before starting her career with the U.S. Post Office in Grenora. She worked as a clerk and then became Post Master until she retired.
Paul passed away in 2007. Helen continued to live in Grenora. She entered Bethel Lutheran Home after she broke her hip, where she has been a resident since.
Helen was a devoted mother. She enjoyed music and was a very talented musician and singer. Helen taught herself to play piano and guitar by ear. She sang at many funerals, weddings and other community events. She was a member of the Silvertones, a singing group from the Grenora area and also sang with the Dakota Dimensions. The Dakota Dimensions were musicians from northwest North Dakota. They performed in the area, at the Medora Musical and toured and performed in Norway. She loved crocheting, her flowers and was excellent seamstress and a good cook. When Helen was making her doughnuts, word went around to the neighborhood kids and they would soon be over to the house enjoying her excellent baking skills.
Helen was a very active member of the United Methodist church in Grenora, serving on the council, teaching Sunday school and singing. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Gladys Helping Hand Club and served as a 4-H leader and taught at Farmers Union School during the summer.
Helen is survived by her children, Shirley Raivo of Williston, Sharon (Herbert) Bendixson of Zahl, Richard (Beverly) Pederson of Zahl, ND, Sandra (Dennis) Peterson of Grenora, Darcia (Steve) Larsen of Culbertson, MT, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, three sons, Allan, Paul Jr. and Daniel and two brothers, Robert and Eugene.