George Peterson

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Bethany Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake, MN with Reverend Steve Bruer officiating.VISITATION : One hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.INTERMENT : Will be held at a later date at Bethany Lutheran Cemetery near Wolf Lake, MN.SURVIVORS : His wife, Josephine; daughter, Deborah Peterson (Coon Rapids), son, Steve and Linda (Plummer) Peterson (Menahga), son, Michael and Sheri Peterson (Richfield), daughter, Christine and Paul Haag (Somerset) and daughter, Melissa and Dave Carlson (St Cloud); brother, Gary and Karen Peterson (Coon Rapids); sister, Irene Kjellberg (Menahga); sister in law, Alice Peterson (Menahga), 17 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. GEORGE HAROLD PETERSONApril 16, 1928 ~ January 16, 2013 George Harold Peterson, age 84 of Menahga, MN passed away on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at St. Joseph"s Hospital in Park Rapids, MN. George was born April 16, 1928 to Erick and Mary (Samuelson) Peterson in Wadena County. He attended Midway school and helped on the family farm and worked in the woods with his dad and brothers. As a young man, George worked in North Dakota during the potato harvest. It was back breaking work, working stooped over and carrying extra empty sacks. He often worked with his cousin Edwin Lund. George entered the US Army in 1951 during the Korean War. He achieved the rank of Sergeant and headed up the motor pool. As a serviceman, he witnessed atomic bomb testing in Nevada from a distance of 15 miles. George was honorably discharged in 1953. After military service, George worked road construction and various jobs in Minneapolis. George married his beloved Josephine on June 18, 1955 and moved to their farm west of Menahga with their daughter Deborah in 1957. Five more children, Steven, Bradley, Christine, Michael and Melissa were added to their happy family. George actively farmed until 2003, milking dairy cows and raising beef cattle. In addition to farming, over the years he also worked for Hendrickx Implement, Homecrest Industries, Swift & Company and RDO Farms. George served on the Spruce Grove Township board for 15 years, the Menahga Creamery Board, and was a State Fire Warden for 55 years. In 2001 George and Josie visited relatives in Sweden and Finland. They also enjoyed several trips to the western United States. George was an avid reader of science, history and nature. He also enjoyed the outdoors- fishing and bird watching in particular. George built numerous bird houses and placed them around the farm for his feathered friends. He was preceded in death by his much loved son Bradley, his parents Erick and Mary, his brothers Kenneth, Delmar, Roger, Eric and Lyle. George is survived by his wife Josephine, daughter Deborah Peterson (Coon Rapids), son Steve and Linda (Plummer) Peterson (Menahga), son Michael and Sheri Peterson (Richfield), daughter Christine and Paul Haag (Somerset) and daughter Melissa and Dave Carlson (St Cloud). Brother Gary and Karen Peterson (Coon Rapids), sister Irene Kjellberg (Menahga), sister in law Alice Peterson (Menahga), 17 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren and many cousins, neighbors and friends. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Bethany Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake, MN. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service.