Leslie Harris Pederson

Leslie “Les” Harris Pederson was a loving father, a friend to everyone he met, the man who planted trees, and a lifelong conservationist. He passed away peacefully on October 23, 2023, at his home in Missoula, Montana.

Born on November 26, 1947, in Fargo, North Dakota, Les was the eldest of five children to Harriette A. Lohmeyer of Ambrose, North Dakota, and Oscar “Pete” O. Pederson of Crosby, North Dakota. He grew up on his grandparents' homesteaded farm near Ambrose and graduated from Divide County High School in Crosby with the Class of 1966.

Leaving the wheat fields of North Dakota, Les attended Montana State University in Bozeman. Upon graduation, he embarked on a journey to Costa Rica with the Peace Corps in the early 1970s. There, Les and his cohort of 13 volunteers supported the development of the Costa Rican National Park System. During this time, he met and married his sweetheart, Julieta Blanco, his wife of over 50 years. Together, they moved to Montana in 1973 and welcomed two children, Jon and Ana.

Les made his home in Helena and spent a brief period working in state government for the offices of State Lands and Natural Resources and Conservation. He traveled the state, made many lifelong friends, and enjoyed the camaraderie of office banter and jest. However, his true passion was his plant nursery and landscaping business, Shades of Green. There, he dedicated his time to planting trees, designing green spaces for his community, and making friends near and far. Les was a hard worker who loved being outdoors, often working long summer days on the farm or at the nursery.

Known for his friendliness, good humor, and affinity for conversation and stories, Les naturally made friends wherever he went. A day was well-lived if he could conjure a laugh from a stranger. He loved the nursery and conversing with customers, who became his friends, as much as he enjoyed the plants. He also loved bird watching, wildflowers, prairie grasslands, trails, and rivers. Les was a true son of Norway, a lover of reggae music, an aspiring Grateful Deadhead, a snob of no beer (“so long as it was cold and wet”), a midnight snacker, and a reluctant but significant donor to the Lewis and Clark dog catcher’s society (thanks to Gus).

In his memory, Les leaves us with the gifts of being curious about the natural world, having a strong work ethic, living simply and modestly, being generous, kind, and fair, the art of playful teasing, and living within one’s means by taking only what you need while leaving enough for others who walk this world. He taught us the names of Montana mountain ranges, native prairie flowers, and, more importantly to him, the prairie grasses.

Les is survived by his wife, Julieta; his children, Jon (Shannon) and Ana (Theo) of Missoula; grandchildren Everett, Louise, Ambrose, and Juliana; and siblings Fred, Mary (Throntveit), and Julie. He is preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, David.

Les will be greatly missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing him. He leaves a legacy of generosity, conservation, friendship, and laughter. Many gardenscapes will live on through him, and birds and bees will relish his designs. His hearty laugh will forever ring in our ears.

A celebration of life is planned at Les’ nursery in Helena on July 27, 2024, at 4 p.m. to commemorate his passing.

- A loving father, a friend to everyone, the man who planted trees, and a lifelong conservationist.