Raymond "Ray" Harvey Pedersen

Raymond “Ray” Harvey Pedersen passed away on Monday, July 6, 2026, at Prairie Cottages of Owatonna at the age of 87.

Ray was born on September 6, 1938, to Nels “Art” and Rozella (Hunnicutt) Pedersen near Alden. As a child, Ray was baptized and confirmed at the Danish Lutheran Church in Alden, MN. Ray attended District #16 Rural Country School until the 8th Grade near Freeborn, MN. Ray graduated from Freeborn High School in 1957.

In 1957, at an FFA Banquet, Ray met a beautiful young miss named Carol Borge. Ray asked Carol for a date and that started their courtship. Ray and Carol were married on April 16th, 1960, the day before Easter amid snow, rain, hail, and cold. Ray farmed in the rural Manchester area for 15 years. Ray was a member of the Minnesota National Guard from 1962 to 1968.

In 1976, Ray started to work as a Carpenter for Ken Johnson Windows until he began Ray’s Construction in Albert Lea in 1982. When Ray retired, he continued to work part time and side jobs for many people, enjoying home repairs and refinishing furniture. His favorite time of year was spring/fall when he would do field work for Roger and Richard Bakken. An even better part was taking the grandkids for a ride in Big Bertha. He would always have a soft spot for farming and was happy to help with anything that needed to be done. You could not take the farm out of Ray!

Ray was known for his friendly personality and loved being with friends whether it was bowling for many years on Friday nights, going out to eat, a good game of cribbage, playing bags, and of course, a good old fashion cookout and a cold beer. But most of all, Ray was proud of his daughters and grandchildren and was supportive of anything they were doing.

Ray is survived by his wife, Carol, of 66 years. His daughter Brenda, and her husband Mike McGivney, of Medford, MN. Granddaughter, Kayla, and her husband, Travis Folden of Goodhue, MN and Grandson, Ryan McGivney of Medford; Ray is also survived by his brother Stan and wife Sheila, of Sauk Rapids, MN. and many nieces and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Julie Ann Pedersen (1991), Sister and Brother-in-law, Arlene and Ordean Hagen and Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law Richard and Betty Borge.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 2PM at Bayview Funeral Home in Albert Lea, with visitation beginning at 1:00 PM. Burial will be held at Carlston Cemetery, rural Alden following the service. Deacon Jessie Camp will be officiating.

Don’t Miss A Beat, Ray!