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Rea Elizabeth Pederson

On January 10, our Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister and Aunt passed away peacefully at the age of 96 years.
Rea Elizabeth Pederson

On January 10, our Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister and Aunt passed away peacefully at the age of 96 years. Rea was predeceased by her parents John Hunter (1960) and Emma Maude (1991), her husband Oliver Pederson (2007), sister Beryl Shields (2008), brothers -in -law and sisters-in -law. Mom is lovingly remembered by her family, her daughters Gwen (Dave) Garner and Dorothy (Gordon) Downing and son Brian Pederson. Eight grandchildren - Ryan(Katrina) Downing, Kevin Downing (Amanda), Carla (Jeff) Nelson, Kimberly(Dean) Mollier, Stacey Garner, Travis (Melissa) Pederson, Alexis (Cole) Kennedy, and Randy Pederson. Ten great -grandchildren - Iscis, Linkin, Corbyn, and Torren Downing; Bray and Tanner Nelson; Makayla, Jessie and Logann Mollier; Charli Pederson. Rea is survived by her sisters, Edith Bernard, Alice Walter, Arvilla Carleton, and Edna McGillivray, sister -in- law Esther Pederson; as well as several nieces and nephews. Rea was third born to Jack and Dot Spence on August 11, 1921 at “Cloverdell Farm “located near Trossachs Sk. Mom attended school at Abbott a one room country school and completed high school in Trossachs. During World War II there was a shortage of teachers, so Mom decided to attend normal school in Regina and become a teacher. In August 1947 Rea married Oliver Pederson; after living in Moose Jaw for a short time, they moved to north of Weyburn where Dad and Mom farmed for over 40 years. In 1959 they moved to the Pederson family homestead, then in 1980 moved to Weyburn where they enjoyed gardening, planting flowers and an active social life that included dancing. Mom volunteered with many organizations; she was a 4-H home craft leader, a member of the United Church Women, and an Honorary director for the Weyburn Agricultural Society. Mom was also an active member of the Alexandria Rebekah Lodge still attending meetings on a regular basis, and a member of Grace United Church attending regular Sunday services. Mom loved old sayings like “busy hands make happy hearts” and so she would read a book, do some knitting, sewing or watch some of her favorite TV programs “Dancing with the Stars”, curling in the winter, The Blue Jays baseball, Saskatchewan Roughrider football in the summer, and always cheering for Canada when watching the Olympics. Many family members and friends had wedding cakes decorated by Mom, her most recent cake was done for her granddaughter Kimberly in 2006. Being with family was always a special time for Mom, she enjoyed the many graduations, convocations and weddings of her grandchildren. Most recently dancing with the bride at Alexis and Cole’s reception in June 2017. Mom loved keeping in contact with the family, so to see her great -grandchildren’s activities her iPad was used frequently to Face Time, as well as IMessages and Email. Mom loved visits with Charli and was anticipating her new brother or sister’s arrival in June 2018. Rea and her sisters enjoyed many happy times as children and this special bond continued throughout their lives. They were sisters but were also best friends. Over the years Mom enjoyed many lunches, shopping trips, birthday parties and family gatherings with her sisters. Mom was an inspiration for all. She will be  ever missed. A Visitation was held Friday, January 12, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. from RD Family Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, SK. A Funeral Service was held Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. from Grace United Church, Weyburn, SK with Rev. M. Barnabas officiating.  Active Pallbearers were: Ryan Downing, Kevin Downing, Travis Pederson, Randy Pederson, Doug Bernard and Chris Pederson. Interment was held at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn, SK  Luncheon followed at Upper Grace Hall, Weyburn, SK. For family and friends so wishing, charitable donations in memory of Rea may be made to the Rebekah Visual Eye Research & Equipment Foundation, 202 Westpointe Estates, Regina, SK,  S4Y 1A4 or the Alexandria Rebekah Lodge, #314 - 41, 4th St., Weyburn, SK  S4H 0X8. Arrangements are entrusted to RD Family Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Weyburn, SK (848-0333 ~ 1-888-848-0333). Expressions of sympathy to the family may be sent to our website at www.rdfamilymemorialchapel.com “Celebrating Life, One Family At A Time”