Donald Peterson

Donald Marvin Peterson, age 95 passed away December 1, 2018. Don was born on May 20, 1923, in Swanburg, MN, to Nellie (Hamlet) and Marvin Peterson. He graduated from Pine River High School at the age of 17 as salutatorian of the class of 1940. He then attended Bemidji Teachers College for one year before joining the Navy to fight in World War II. He was an electronics technician on the heavy cruiser USS Chester that patrolled the South Pacific. After his service he continued his education at Bemidji and graduated with a degree in Industrial Arts Education. His first teaching job was in Milaca, MN, where he met his wife, Velma June Kessler. They were married in 1947. Don and Velma moved down to the Cities where he continued his teaching career in the Minneapolis School District. He became a counselor at Roosevelt High School and retired in 1979. Don and Velma moved back up to their cabin on Whitefish Lake and spent their retirement traveling to winter destinations including California, Arizona, Texas and Florida. Grandpa Don loved to sing and enjoyed participating in sing-a-longs at the Golden Horizons Assisted Living facility in Crosslake. Everyone who knew him will miss his quick wit and generous heart.

Don was preceded in death by his wife; son, John; and sisters, Mavis Hegstrom and Jean Kleen. He is survived by his son, Jim (Cathie) Peterson; grandsons, Phil (Lauren) and Glen Peterson; great granddaughter, Norah Rachel Peterson; brother, Howard Peterson; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at Faith Lutheran Church, Swanburg.