Knud Christian Pedersen was born on March 11 ^th , 1950 to Knud Harold Pedersen and Charlotte Genevieve Erickson in Manhattan, New York. His parents took him home to Brooklyn, New York, where he first met his sister Caroline. Knud's family continued to grow; two more boys, Ernest and John, were born. The family had outgrown their apartment- so when Knud was 5, his family moved to Eltington, Staten Island, New York. They moved into a new home that Knud's father had built himself. Later, the family added a brother named Paul, and a sister named Robin. Sailing up the Hudson River to Lake Champlain in a 24-foot cabin cruiser, built by Knud's dad, was a memorable family past-time. Apparently, Charlotte washed Robin's diapers by tying them to a rope and dragging them in the river. Knud was a Boy Scout ending as an impressive Eagle Scout in high school. He learned many skills there that he would later use as a man. During fall, he played on Great Kills, New York Community football team. In winter, he played on his school's varsity basketball team. At the end of his senior year, he was voted best dancer of his class. Knud attended P.S. 42 and graduated from Tottenville high-school in 1968. Knud loved skiing, so he looked for a college to attend in Colorado. Adams State (in Alamosa) was the first college listed in alphabetical order. He was accepted and went early to try out for Adams State football team. He was a walk-on and made the team. At Adams State, he met the love of his life after she fell off of a ski-lift, skiing to her aid. Knud dropped one class so that he could ski more, and thus became eligible for the draft. Rather than go back to New York to report for duty, he went to the Navy recruiter in Alamosa and asked if they could take him instead. The Navy recruiter was glad to help him and signed him up. Shortly, after entering the Navy, Knud was deployed to Vietnam where he served on the USS Hamner and later on a patrol boat in the Mekong Delta. After his tour ended, he came back to Alamosa and on July 12, 1975 he married Elaine Tuxhorn. Shortly after he accepted Jesus Christ as his savior.  Just two years later they brought their daughter Heather Elaine Pedersen into the world.  From there they moved to Leadville, Colorado where Knud worked at Climax Molybdenum Mine.  There they had their son Adam Brice Pedersen. When the mine closed, they moved to Byers, Colorado where they struggled through the recession.  Knud worked any job he could get including the in the oil fields. In 1984 they moved to Deer Trail, Colorado after Knud was hired at Arapahoe County as a heavy equipment operator and Elaine got a job teaching 5 ^th grade.  It is there they put down their roots and raised their family.  They were active members of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, filling many roles including deacon, Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher.  During their time in Deer Trail, his children would graduate high school and attend college and marry.  In October, 2001 Knud became the proud grandfather of Caitlyn Mackenzee Borgmann who he loved more than air itself.  Knud worked at Arapahoe County until his retirement in 2011.  After many trips to see their grandchild, they decided to sell their house in Deer Trail and move to Wylie, Texas to be nearer.  There, Knud and Elaine became members of First Baptist Wylie where he loved serving as a greeter.  In April of 2018, Knud was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma caused by Agent Orange exposure and began his 3 year battle.  The Dallas VA became a second home.  In January 2021 Knud decided to stop treatment to focus on enjoying the time he had left.  On May 22 ^nd , 2021, at 7:19 p.m., in his own bed, surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchild, he peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior.