(April 9, 2014 - by Harold Goerzen)  “There was no one who met Norma that didn’t know Jesus better after meeting her.”

This insightful comment, posted on Facebook by longtime friend Dallas Anderson, was one of many dozens made on social media since Norma Pederson went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 3, following a yearlong battle with cancer.

Norma, the wife of Wayne Pederson, president of Reach Beyond (formerly HCJB Global), died while in home hospice care in Colorado Springs, Colo. She was 65 years old.

“Norma was an amazing woman who clearly was devoted to serving God and people—all people,” said Reach Beyond Board Chairman Jim Gordon and his wife, Bonnie. “She had a beautiful way of sharing in a group of women and made you feel like you were the only one in the room. We admired her unselfish, unconditional, and unwavering love for people and her faithful commitment to the Lord. Norma’s sense of humor was refreshing.”

The Gordons also pointed out Norma’s ever-present smile and contagious laugh—traits mentioned by nearly all who knew her. “When she said she would pray about something or for someone, we knew she would,” they added. “She was a loyal friend! We feel incredibly blessed to have known Norma and have such precious memories from these past few years.”

Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), remembers Norma as a “godly and good person whom everyone wants as a friend. You can count her friends in the thousands across America and around the globe. She lived her Christian faith with excitement and consistency. We celebrate her life and love and miss her already.”

“She passed peacefully with family around her quoting great resurrection Scriptures,” Wayne said of his high school sweetheart. “We’re happy for Norma, sad for us. There is no way to thank you all for your love, support and prayers during this time. We are truly blessed to have you in our lives.”

Norma Jane Ness Pederson was born in Crookston, Minn., on June 2, 1948, to Victor and Bernice Ness who continue to reside in nearby Fertile, Minn., close to where she grew up on a farm. Norma came to Christ as a child while attending Maple Bay Free Lutheran Church in Fertile. She especially enjoyed attending vacation Bible school and participating in the Maple Bay Girls Chorus.

When she was 16 and a junior in high school, Wayne worked up the courage to take Norma home from the county fair. Wayne was a senior, and as they continued dating, it became clear that they were made for each other.

Norma attended the Association Free Lutheran Bible School in Minneapolis after high school and also nursing school in Fergus Falls, Minn., where she graduated as an LPN in 1968, the same year the couple married on Sept. 14.

She worked in obstetrics and gynecology at North Memorial Hospital in Minneapolis and also as a receptionist at Shoreview Family Physicians in Shoreview, Minn., while Wayne served at Northwestern University-St. Paul.

In 2002 new job opportunities took the Pedersons to Washington, D.C., and Palm Springs, Calif. Two years later they moved to Chicago where Wayne served in management at Moody Broadcasting and Norma worked in the Moody Bookstore. They lived downtown and loved working, walking and taking in the wide variety of entertainment.

Bruce Everhart, vice president of donor development and channel strategy at Moody, was encouraged by Norma’s leadership and her unwavering support of Wayne.

“I cannot think of a more honest, joyful, caring and thoughtful person than Norma Pederson,” he said. “Her abiding support of her husband was a model for so many in our work. Her leadership to other women was exemplary. She was a true friend, always seeming to know the right thing to say to encourage and comfort.”

Approaching the age when many would consider retirement, the Pedersons sensed God’s call when the Reach Beyond board asked if Wayne would consider becoming president. As Norma dropped off Wayne at the airport for his interview, she declared, “I will follow you wherever you go!”

The Pedersons left Chicago in 2008 for Colorado Springs, joining the mission that would take them on trips to Europe, Africa, South America and Asia Pacific, almost always traveling together.

“I had the pleasure of traveling with Wayne and Norma on donor visitations,” recounted Steve Hodgson, Reach Beyond’s executive director of development. “Wayne would often say, ‘I am the techy; she is the people person.’ People loved Norma, and her gentle, inquisitive spirit made people feel heard, loved and encouraged…. I will miss her smile, the glint of joy in her eyes and her passion for Jesus.”

Diagnosed with cancer in May 2013, Norma underwent extensive surgery and four months of chemotherapy. After it appeared that Norma had made a remarkable recovery, the cancer returned in March, ultimately taking her life.

“Norma was a perfect partner for Wayne, a real ‘helpmeet,’” related Ron Cline, a Reach Beyond ambassador and a former mission president. “She was so much a part of everything he did. Her love and concern for people, the ones she had just met and those she counted as friends, was beautiful to watch. She was a fun person to be with. She loved life, she loved people and she loved the Lord.”

In addition to her husband of more than 45 years, Norma is survived by the couple’s two daughters, Christy Becher and Michelle Keller, and nine grandchildren.

Friends and ministry supporters are invited to celebrate Norma’s life at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Calvary Church in Roseville, Minn., following visitation that begins at 12:30 p.m. A memorial service is also set for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to Reach Beyond (www.reachbeyond.org) or Compassion International (www.compassion.com).

Sources: Reach Beyond, InChrist Communications