Thoralf Pederson was born at Sisseton, South Dakota, April 24, 1912, the son of the Herman Pederson's. He grew to manhood there living on a farm and attended a nearby rural grade school. He graduated from Sisseton High School in 1930. After graduation he worked at various jobs until coming to Enderlin in 1936, to work as bookkeeper and salesman in the Ford garage.
Harriet Thiel was born in Valley City August 9, 1916, the daughter of Wm. and Elizabeth (Uloth) Thiel. She lived on the farm with her folks and attended rural Matsori School in Stewart township. In 1926 she moved to Valley City with her folks and graduated from College High School in 1933. In 1935 she went to Fargo to hairdressing school and upon completion went to Enderlin to work in a beauty shop where she met her husband to be.
Thoralf and Harriet were married in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Valley City, April 17, 1938 by Dr. J. F. L. Bonhoff. He had also baptized and confirmed Harriet. They made their home in Enderlin for the next 9 years working for Swift and Co. December 12, 1947 they purchased a grocery store in Kathryn from Mr. and Mrs. Martin Gilbertson and Mr. and Mrs. Martin Larson, which they still operate. The year they moved to Kathryn was a real snow winter. Highway 46 was blocked all but the one day they moved. The farmers all came to town with horses and sleds to get their supplies. Groceries had to be wrapped like babies to keep from freezing on the way home. Bread was brought in a few times by airplane by Millers Bakery of Valley City. At the present time they have groceries, some dry goods and drugs in the store. Thoralf has the oldest continuous cream buyers license in the State of North Dakota. They are one of three cream buyers left in Barnes County. They are members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Kathryn and have been active in all community affairs over the years. They have held offices on town Fire Dept., Church and A.L.C.W. boards. Thoralf lives to fish and spends many a summer evening fishing at the dam east of Kathryn. Sometimes his efforts are rewarded with a walleye or two.
They have two children. Darryll was born August 12, 1939 in Valley City. He is married to the former Dorothy James of Rogers. They have two children, Deborah and Kirth and live in Lincoln, NB. He received his Dr's degree in Geology from Univ. of North Dakota in 1971. At present he has a joint appointment as a Hydrologist with the Conservation and Survey Department of the State of Nebraska and the Geology Dept. of the University of Nebraska.
Dianne was born November 23, 1940 in Valley City. She is married to Allen Larson of Kathryn. They have three daughters. Cynthia, Patricia and Nancy. They live in Carrington, North Dakota, where Allen is principal of the High School, and head wrestling coach. Dianne teaches kindergarten.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 193