Ruth Pederson, 96, of Sidney, MT passed peacefully away on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the Sidney Health Center Extended Care in Sidney, MT.

Ruth Brosten Pederson was born in Sidney on January 25, 1929, to Pete and Serina Brosten. Her father died when she was two years old, so her mother raised her and two older sisters, Verda and Anne. They were raised in the Clark Community, 23 miles south of Sidney. They went to Clark School. Her neighbors and classmates were lifelong friends. She graduated from Sidney High School.

During WW2 Ruth spent a year in Vancouver Washington with her mother. Serina was a welder in the shipyard and Ruth attended her sophomore year of high school in Vancouver. Ruth worked in a fruit factory, swimming pool and babysat four little girls while in Vancouver.

After high school, Ruth worked as a telephone operator and worked at Yellowstone Mercantile.

When Ruth was 20 years old, she went to Norway on a ship with her mother. Serina was 50 years old, and her daughters thought she was too old to travel by herself.

Ruth married Halvard Pederson in July 1952. They lived east of Sidney and raised five children, Cheryl, John, Loretta, Marsha and Kim. Ruth took care of many children of relatives and neighbors. She cooked and baked for large gatherings of people. She always had a full pot of coffee and baked goods to share. She liked to sew hardanger. She made rugs on a loom.

She was a member of Pella Lutheran Church, Sons of Norway and VFW Auxillary.

Ruth became a widow in December 1987. She moved to Sidney the following year. She worked at the Baker Boy and M&M Cafe well into her 70’s.

Ruth had a caring spirit and positive attitude. Her competitive side came out when playing Hand and Foot.

She was loved and will be missed by many.

Ruth is survived by her daughters Cheryl Nelson, Loretta Pederson, Marsha Buckley (Bill), and Kim Lesh (Bret); grandchildren Angie Buckley (Scott Leap) Ryan Buckley, Sara Nelson, Zach Nelson, Andi Tieszen (Jake), Riley Lesh (Destiny) Clinton Lesh(Mady) Garrett Lesh and Guy Lesh; great-grandchildren Kasyn, Kyra, Kamryn and Kyler Buckley, Calvin and Archie Tieszen, Eli and Aiden Rose, and Rhett and Riplee Lesh; and many nieces that she loved as her own.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Halvard, son John, great grandchildren Henry and Bridgette Tieszen, and sisters Verda Pederson and Anne Koch.

A mother holds her children’s hand for a while….their hearts forever.

Thank You