Helen B Pederson

Helen B. Pederson-Olufson, 104, Grand Forks, ND, died Monday, June 4, 2018 in Valley Memorial Home Eldercare, Grand Forks. Helen Barbara Novotny was born November 4, 1913 in Spillville, IA, the daughter of Louis and Sophia (Luzum) Novotny. At the age of 6, she moved with her family to Conway, ND, then to Grand Forks in 1925. She attended school and graduated from Grand Forks Central High School in 1931. In 1939, she married Carl D. Pederson. They lived on the farm in Brenna Township until 1977 when they moved to Grand Forks. Helen was a member of the Brenna and Schurmeier Homemakers Clubs for 50 years and received the 50-year national, state and county awards in 1996. She also received the county 4-H Leadership Award for her years of being a 4-H leader. Helen was also a lifetime member of St. Mary’s and Holy Family Catholic Churches. Helen’s husband, Carl, died in October of 1982. In 1986, she married Henry Olufson. They lived in Grand Forks for 8 months of the year and in Mesa, AZ for the other 4 months. On August 17, 2000 they moved to Aspen Park Apartments in Grand Forks. Henry Olufson died August 30, 2000. Helen is survived by 2 step children, Meredith Olufson-Dubuque and Ted (Gayle) Olufson; five grandchildren, Cindy Thomas, Kathy (Perry) Smestad, Debbie Dubuque, Michelle Shumate, Amy (Dale) Twedell; eight great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews including Charles (Suellen) Bateman. Helen was preceded in death by her sister, Amelia Bushaw; by brothers, Adolf, Lester, Louis and Harold Novotny; and by a step son, Larry Olufson. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Monday, June 11, 2018 at Holy Family Catholic Church of Grand Forks. Visitation will be for the hour before Mass in the church. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery of Grand Forks.