Laurian “Lauri” Ruth (Savage) Pederson, 67, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., surrounded by her family at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake.
Lauri was born August 31, 1958, to Glenn and Clara (Cunningham) Savage in Fergus Falls, MN, the first of three siblings. Glenn’s job as a pastor took the family all over the Midwest, including Elbow Lake and Barrett, MN; Killdeer, ND; Hub City, SD; and Sebeka, MN. Lauri attended many different schools, including country school, before graduating from Sebeka High School in 1976. She attended one year of college for accounting at Golden Valley Lutheran College, graduating in the spring of 1977.
On August 20, 1977, Lauri married Rody Pederson at Our Saviour’s Lutheran in Sebeka, MN, and the couple settled in Wadena, MN. In 1982, they moved to the Iowa Lakes Area, eventually settling in Milford. Lauri and Rody were blessed with two children: Kaitlin in January 1990 and Derek in September 1992. Lauri homeschooled their children from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Lauri worked for the Review Messenger in Sebeka, Consumers Lumber, the Beacon newspaper, the Lakes News Shopper, KJIA Radio as interim office manager and radio announcer for the first 11 months of the station being on the air, and finally owned and operated Pederson Electric with Rody in the Lakes Area.
Lauri loved quilting and crafting, blessing many (particularly her grandchildren) with her quilts and crocheted blankets and washcloths. Lauri also enjoyed traveling. She and Rody put many miles on motorcycles and cars, going on vacations and visiting family. The highlight of her life was her four grandchildren and she took advantage of every opportunity to spend time with them.
Above all else, Lauri was committed to living her life for the glory of God. She loved to sing praises and worship the Lord. She played with the worship team on piano, flute, and keyboard as well as vocals. Lauri always had an encouraging word for everyone she met, pointing them to God. If we could hear her from heaven, she’d be saying, “I’d better see you here!”
Grateful for having shared Lauri’s life are her husband of 48 years. Rody; daughter Kaitlin (John) Huber, Eureka, SD; son Derek (Tiffany) Pederson, Dallas, PA; mother Clara Savage, Milford; brother Paul (Marcy) Savage, Spirit Lake; sisters-in-law Lynette (Michael) Joines of Canon City, CO. and Leslie (Dennis) Eisenbraun of Gaylord, MN; grandchildren Sarah Pederson and Elizabeth, Sophia, and Arthur Huber; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Glenn Savage (2014), brother Tim Savage (2023), parents-in-law Elwood “Pete” (2018) and Arlette (2000) Pederson.
A celebration of life for Lauri was held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Foundation Church in Spencer, Iowa, officiated by Pastor Nicholas Hanges. Music was provided by Laurena Overmire, Annika Overmire, Alyssa and Corgan Petersen. Serving as pallbearers were Paul Savage, Derek Pederson, John Huber, Todd Heck, Alan Otto, Tim Overmire, John Stanley and John DeBoer. A private inurnment will be held at a later date.
Arrangements were under the care of Turner Jenness Funeral Home.