Martell Anton Pederson

Martell Anton Pederson, 82, died April 26, 2018 at Sanford Health. A funeral service will be held on Saturday May 5th, 2018 at 10:30 am at Grace Lutheran Church, 303 Main St, Driscoll, ND. Visitation will be on Friday May 4, 2018 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 East Divide Avenue, Bismarck. Martell Anton Pederson was born January 19, 1936 in Valley City, North Dakota, to Hans and Allene Mae (Sawyer) Pederson. He grew up and was educated in rural Driscoll. He was born with spina bifida and with his legs bent up nearly to his chest.  His parents were told by the doctors that he would not survive, but a day later he was still alive and surgery was performed. They were told that he would never be able to sit up by himself. He had spinal cord damage so his lower extremities did not develop and strengthen as they should, but he most certainly survived! His mother exercised his legs daily. He began to pull himself around with his arms and by age 5 he was able to pull himself up and walk, legs weak and dragging, but he walked. He told of the shock on the doctor’s face when he walked into the office with his parents help. As he grew, his arms and upper body developed enormous strength and he began helping around the farm. Later he took a course in auto bodywork. He worked at that for a time, but return to the farm to help his father and the neighbors, and he developed his own business raising purebred Polled Herford bulls. He became a skilled mechanic and welder. As his father aged and lost his eyesight, Martell took over the farm. He eventually became confined to a wheelchair, but continued to lead a productive life, becoming a federally licensed gunsmith. While his parents were living in a nursing home, he met his future wife, Joyce, a CNA who was caring for them in the home. They enjoyed almost 13 wonderful years together on the farm before she passed away. He continued to live on the farm independently (in the winter shoveling snow off the ramp and from around his adapted pickup so he could drive to town).  He had more determination and persistence than most of us. He always had a positive attitude and was an inspiration to everyone who knew him. Martell is survived by step children, step grandchildren, step great grand children, sister and brother-in-law, Jeanette and Bill Whited, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Cemetery Trust Fund.