Yvonne Celeste Pederson, born Yvonne Celeste Johnson, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, surrounded by her loving family. She was 84 years old.

Yvonne was born on August 12, 1942, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to Willard and Ingeborg (Larson) Johnson. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls in 1960 and went on to build a life centered on family, hard work, and caring for others.

After high school, Yvonne was married to Keith Pederson in Thief River Falls, MN, on October 7, 1961.

Over the years, Yvonne held a variety of roles that reflected both her strong work ethic and her nurturing spirit. Early in her life she worked at Bostwick’s. She also devoted herself to her home as a homemaker. She later served as a childcare provider in Thief River Falls and Detroit Lakes, offering care and guidance to children and families. She also worked as a teacher’s aide in McAllen, Texas. In the final chapter of her working life, she was a cashier at Hugo’s in Thief River Falls, where she remained until her retirement.

Yvonne will be remembered as bubbly, funny, and full of life. She loved to make people laugh and brought a goofy charm and ever-present smile wherever she went. She was compassionate, empathetic, loving, caring, determined, and strong-willed, with a wonderful sense of humor that made others feel at ease. Her proudest accomplishment was raising her children, and that love for family remained the center of her life.

She found joy in many simple and meaningful things. Yvonne enjoyed looking through pictures, shopping on HSN, listening to music, organizing, and spending time talking and laughing with people. She loved playing cards with friends and family and enjoyed Bunco. An animal lover at heart, she also treasured trips to the casino with her daughter Kayla and Kayla’s husband David. At gatherings and holidays, Yvonne was happiest when feeding the people she loved, often preparing an overabundance of food and salads so that everyone would be well cared for. On weekend camping trips, she made sure the camper was always stocked with goodies, adding her special touch to those family memories.

Yvonne shared a deep love with her husband, Keith. After Keith passed away suddenly in 1985, she faced a very difficult loss with strength and perseverance. She never remarried, as Keith was the love of her life, and she carried those memories in her heart throughout the years.

She is survived by her children, Kerri Flatland and her husband Dave of St. Hilaire, Minnesota, Shelli Nicks and her husband Brent of Lampasas, Texas, Bradley Pederson and his wife Ashley of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and Kayla Wiebe and her husband David of Leander, Texas. She is also survived by her grandchildren Lindsey Christopher, Ashley Olson, Amber Armstrong, Tyler Pederson, Jessika Lantz, Brooke Stefka, Trey Dalziel, Danielle Graham, Samantha Pederson, Kruz Pederson, Jessica Singer, Harley Pederson, and Joshua Wiebe; her step-grandchildren, Heidi Flatland, Arin Flatland, Haley Hampshire, Elias Hampshire, Chance Nelson, Tessa Walker; her great-grandchildren Wyatt, Brya, Claire, Scarlett, Wesley, Barrett, Emma, and Elliot; and her step great-grandchildren Kaysen, Maysen, and Tripp. She is further survived by her sisters Sharon Durisseau of Rochester, Minnesota, Jan Elleson of San Antonio, Texas, and Sheila Johnson of Thief River Falls, Minnesota; and by her brother Richard Johnson and his wife Pati of Mesa, Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith; her parents, Willard and Ingeborg Johnson; her brother, Darryl Johnson; her brother-in-law, Dan Elleson; and her step-granddaughter Cassandra Flatland and her boys, Hudson and Cooper.

Yvonne’s warmth, humor, resilience, and devotion to her family will be held close by all who knew and loved her. Her memory will live on in the laughter she shared, the meals she prepared, the kindness she showed, and the enduring love she gave so freely.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Johnson Funeral Service Thief River Falls, 420 La Bree Avenue North, Thief River Falls, Minnesota, with a prayer service from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. A second visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church, 505 Main Avenue North, Thief River Falls, Minnesota, followed by the funeral service at 10:30 a.m.