The funeral service for John Petersen, 57, of Ghent, will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 3, 2019, at Hope Lutheran Church in Minneota. Visitation will be Sunday, June 2, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the church, with a sharing of memories at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour before the service on Monday. A private family interment will take place at a later date.
John Donald Petersen was born to Alvin and Irene (Hellvig) Petersen on June 27, 1961, in Tyler, Minnesota. He grew up on a farm near Goose Lake, where he kept busy shearing sheep, baling hay, helping with chores, and helping the neighbors every summer. John was baptised and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church. John graduated from Russell High School in 1980, then went into the Army for four years. After returning home, John worked at Swift’s Turkey Plant in Marshall for seventeen years. For the past sixteen years, John has worked at ADM as a chemical handler, a position that was more important than he ever made it sound. A highlight for him was the yearly ADM Golf Tournament where he collected different construction equipment models. He always looked forward to putting up game cameras with his friend Jimmy Hancock.
John was an avid outdoorsman, and especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, and in his younger days riding his motorcycle and playing guitar. He could filet a fish like none other. John was always good for a random history fact, and he was not afraid to find the answer to something he did not know. John also enjoyed spending time with his family, his dogs, and especially his grandson, Colton. John followed just about any sport – football, baseball, golf, NASCAR – but he had a special fondness for the Minnesota Vikings. John was a member of bowling and dart leagues for years. John also enjoyed taking photographs, and he was always up for a game of horse shoes or bean bags at family reunions. He took pride in everything he did. He was a simple, kindhearted man who was there for anyone and everyone, and he will be greatly missed.
John died on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, after a short battle with aggressive cancer. He is survived by his son Patrick Petersen of Taunton and grandson Colton; daughter Lisa Petersen of Clara City; brother Joe (Judy) Petersen of Minneota; sister Susan (John) Laleman of Ivanhoe; nieces and nephews Shawn Petersen, Morgan Petersen (Dana Hilfers), Jessica (Joe) Wilson, Alex (Bee) Laleman, and Adrian Laleman; uncle Neil Petersen; aunt Agnes Boe; and many cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Alvin and Irene Petersen, nephew Anthony Laleman, as well as his grandparents and many aunts and uncles.
