Dr. Rev. Ruben A. Pedersen

Pedersen, Rev. Dr. Ruben A. 09/04/1919 - 04/26/2012 Ruben passed peacefully on April 26, 2012. He was one of ten children born to Anna and Andrew Pedersen of Fairmont, MN. Graduated from Gustavus Adolphus in 1942, he married Twilah Pilcher (Mabel and Ernest of Guckeen, MN) in that same year. Following graduation from Augustana Seminary they became missionaries to Tanzania, E. Africa with the Augustana Lutheran Church in 1946. At the end of a four-year term, Twilah passed away. Ruben returned to the US with his three daughters and in 1952 married Helen Koester (Hattie and George of Forest Lake, MN) who was a nurse-anesthetist also serving in Tanzania and an acquaintance of the family. Ruben served many years with the Lutheran Church in Central Tanzania and subsequently held positions with the Department of World Missions of the Lutheran World Federation in Geneva Switzerlnd, and as Africa Secretary with Division for World Mission of the LCA. Beginning in 1975, he and Helen served in a rural parish in Pennsylvania for several years before moving to Florida where he was visitation pastor. Since 1994 Ruben and Helen have resided at Augustana Apartments in Minneapolis where he continued his involvement in mission organizations. Ruben is survived by his beloved, dedicated wife, Helen, who was his companion and co-worker for over sixty years. Other surviving family members include daughters Miriam Pedersen (Malone, NY); Linnea (Lowell Niles, North Bangor, NY), her two daughters Courtney Connors and Meghann (Kris Olds and their sons Aeden and Zackery, Tampa, FL); Marlyce (John Rich, Tequesta, FL); and one sister, Margaret (Mesa, AZ) as well as several god-children. Memorial service will be Saturday, May 5 at 2 pm at Augustana Apartments Chapel: 1007 E 14th St, Mpls. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Global Health, Amnesty International or other missions. Washburn-McReavy.com Davies Chapel 612-377-2203

Published on April 29, 2012