Leona Pederson, age 59, of Ogema, Minnesota, died Monday, September 3, 2007, at St. Mary's Hospital in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

Leona was born on March 25, 1948 in Detroit Lakes to Christian and Anna (Casebeer) Andersen. She grew up in the Ogema area and attended the Nemec School and graduated from Ogema School in eighth grade. Leona received her diploma from Waubun High School with the class of 1966.

Following graduation, Leona worked as a nurse's aide in the Fargo ? Moorhead area. On March 9, 1968, she was united in marriage to Allan Pederson, at which time they moved to Minneapolis. While living in Minneapolis, Leona worked for Tool Products.

In 1972, Leona and Allan moved to the Flom area where they made their home. Eighteen years later, they moved to Ogema where they have since lived. Leona babysat for many years and enjoyed catering with the "Ogema Cooks." She had a knack for making various crafts, including plastic canvassing, which she gave for gifts and she also crocheted afghans. In her spare time Leona liked to read and visit with her friends and family.

Leona is survived by her husband Allan; two daughters: Lisa Pederson and Tina Pederson, both of Detroit Lakes; three brothers: Wilfred (Eilene) and Raymond (Beverly), both of Frazee, MN; and Ronald (Ida Mae), Glyndon, MN; two sisters: Marie Haverkamp and Lucille Haverkamp, both of Ogema; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Irene Andersen and two brothers: Leonard Andersen and Kenneth Casebeer.