Lila Pedersen

Lila Cosy (Gandolf) Pedersen passed away peacefully at age 76 on Tuesday, March 19, 2019. She lived her last years with pulmonary fibrosis until passing away at Valley Eldercare Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota, surrounded by family and friends.

Services will be held at University Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota. On Monday, April 29, there will be a visitation at 5pm followed by a prayer service at 6:30pm. The memorial service will be on Tuesday, April 30 at 11am. At Lila's request, her body will be donated to the University of North Dakota for the advancement of science.

Lila was born on Friday, October 9, 1942 in Cleveland, Ohio to Clifford & Rita Gandolf. She earned a Bachelor of Arts at Cleveland State University, majoring in English with a minor in philosophy, and subsequently earned a Master of Library Science at the University of Missouri Columbia. She began her career at the Health Center Library at the University of Connecticut, and went on to have a distinguished career as Director of The Harley E. French Library of the Health Sciences at the University of North Dakota.

Lila loved the arts. She taught music to her children, and greatly encouraged the musical interests of her grandkids. She and Melvin enjoyed performing with their violins anywhere they had a chance. During her last days, Melvin played his violin and sang for her many times, often encouraging others to join, including their children, their friend Jeff Anvinson, and Pastor Tom Colenso. Lila also enjoyed gardening and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband Melvin Pedersen; her three children: Mel (Deborah) Pedersen, Kristin Pedersen (James Bingaman), and Leif (Kristi) Pedersen; her eight grandchildren: Andrew (Monika) Potts, Seth Pedersen, Mairin (Chase) Tessman, Greta Pedersen, Ingrid Pedersen, Soren Pedersen, Aria Pedersen, and Rayna Pedersen; and three great-grandchildren: Benjamin Potts, Thomas Potts, and Mayla Tessman.