Diane Pedersen

Diane Dale (Thompson) Pedersen, 72, of Detroit Lakes passed away on Monday, January 25, 2021 at Essentia Health - St. Mary’s in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Diane Dale Thompson was born on October 14, 1948 in Crookston, MN to Elmer and Thelma (Dale) Thompson. She went to school and graduated from Climax High School as part of the class of 1966. Diane then went to further her education earning her bachelor’s degree in teaching from Moorhead State in 1970.  She earned her master’s degree in education from Minot State in the mid 1990’s.

Diane met the love of her life and best friend Clyde Owen Pedersen and married on August 30, 1975. Diane put her heart and soul into teaching; she taught first grade/ migrant school in Crookston, MN; then moving to Finley, ND, in 1982 where she taught first grade; she also taught basic skills, music, and kindergarten in Finley-Sharon, ND; and she stayed in the school system until her retirement in 2014. Diane loved teaching music and leading music programs. She was known as being fair and non-judgmental towards the children she taught, always gave them the benefit of the doubt and was inclusive to everyone. This was not only in her teaching life but also her daily life.

Deeply loved Diane’s passing will be mourned by her husband of 45 years Clyde Pedersen of Detroit Lakes, MN; her children Tina Molacek of Detroit Lakes, MN and Tyler Pedersen Detroit Lakes, MN; granddaughter Sadie Diane Molacek of Lake Park, MN; uncles Glen (Lois) Thompson and Arvid (Joy) Thompson; aunt Muriel (Skip) Baukel; numerous cousins and extended family; and her “adopted” sister Sherry Loen-Bakke and her family.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 29, 2021 at 10 a.m. at the David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, MN which will be livestreamed on the funeral home’s website. Interment to follow the service at Birgit Cemetery in Climax, MN. Memorials can be made to the Finley-Sharon School scholarship fund that will be set up in Diane’s honor.