Jeri "Toots" Fjelstad, age 65, of Waubun, MN, died unexpectedly on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at the Mahnomen Health Center.

Jeri Leigh Pederson was born November 8, 1956, in Detroit Lakes, MN, the daughter of Charlie and Marie (Hilstad) Pederson.  She grew up and attended school in the Waubun area.  Following her schooling, she attended the Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Wadena and received her cosmetologist license.  Jeri worked as a beautician in the Fargo, ND, and Detroit Lakes areas for several years.  She later became employed by the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen as a security guard followed by employment as a security guard for the White Earth Nation at the Ranch on Highway 200, Mahnomen.  Even though she enjoyed her job as a security guard, her declining health forced her into early retirement.

Jeri will be remembered for her big, beautiful personality, great sense of humor and her zest for life.  She worked hard and she played hard, leaving nothing to chance.  In her free time, Jeri liked snowmobiling, fishing, playing pool, mowing the lawn, and listening to music, especially to Bret Michaels.  She was also an avid MN Vikings and Pro-Wrestling fan, collected tons of movies and wolf memorabilia.  Above all, Jeri loved to be around family and friends and enjoyed dancing, traveling, and a good get-together which always made for a great story.  Although she didn't have children of her own, Jeri had a huge heart and open door for all her nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, loving them all like her own.  Although gone from this life to soon, she will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Jeri is survived by one brother, Charles (Kari) Pederson of Waubun; two sisters, Caroline Gerving and Linda Emerson, both of Waubun; goddaughters, Sara Pederson and Allena Simon; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews and her four-legged companions: Brittney, Bandit and Josie.  She was preceded in death by her parents, a niece, Tina Gerving and her dog, Baby and her cat, Simba.

A Celebration of Life for Jeri will be held on Monday, August 8, 2022, at 3 pm at the Sundown Saloon in Waubun, MN.  A time of gathering will be held one-hour prior.

Please feel free to sign the guestbook, send condolences and view other opportunities which may be available on the website.