Roy Petersen

Roy Petersen, age 97, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away Monday, September 9, 2019 at Sanford Wheaton Hospital in Wheaton.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Monson Township, rural Wheaton, Minnesota with Rev. Michael Breach officiating. Organist will be Darlene Beyer with special music by Lynae Berger; Ken and Linda Hodgson accompanied by Lisa Winter.

Visitation will be held Saturday morning from noon until service time at the church.

Burial will be at a later date at Wildwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Melanie Lupkes, Robin Johnson, Alyssa Petersen, Marty Petersen, Kristina Sessa and LaShella Cassity. Honorary Pallbearers will be Roy’s longtime friends and neighbors.

Roy Petersen was born on July 26, 1922 to Hans Martin and Sophie Marie (Koch) Petersen. Roy was born in Traverse County near Wheaton, Minnesota where he lived and farmed throughout his life.

Roy was baptized, confirmed and married at St. John’s Lutheran church in Wheaton. At St. John’s, Roy served as treasurer, usher, chairman of the Men’s Club, and president of the Walther League. It was in the Walther League group that Roy met and began dating Mavis Schmidt, who would become his partner and wife of seventy-three years. In 1954, Roy and Mavis joined Immanuel Lutheran Church in Monson township where he served as elder, chairman of the congregation and sextant of the cemetery.

Roy and Mavis were blessed with three children, David, Alan and Donna. The Petersen family became very involved in 4-H together and had many wonderful memories from their participation in 4-H. Roy and Mavis began exhibiting at the Traverse County Fair with their son David in 1957 and the family continued to bring exhibits to the County Fair for fifty consecutive years.

Roy harvested his first crop in 1947, growing oats and corn, then for many years his main crops were barley, wheat, flax, sunflowers and soybeans. He milked cows and raised cattle for many years. What Roy enjoyed the most was going through the barn at night doing the ”looking chores”, seeing that everything was content and peaceful. Another one of his enjoyments of the farm was, “helping the neighbors and the neighbors helping you.” In the later years, Roy was proud to transition his farm to his son, Alan and grandson, Marty.

Roy and Mavis enjoyed many trips together throughout the country and sightseeing with their pickup and camper. Other favorite hobbies together included square dancing, baking cookies and gardening. Roy planted hundreds of hills of potatoes and gladiolus bulbs for many years. The entire Petersen family went on a yearly family retreat to a cabin on Lake Lida near Pelican Rapids, MN. These family times were very special to Roy.

Roy and Mavis moved to Prairie View Assisted Living in Wheaton in November of 2017. In November of 2018, Roy moved to the Traverse Care Center. Roy felt very thankful and blessed by his family and friends. He was noted for his willing and firm hand shake. And one of his most often phrases, “In all things give thanks”.

Roy is survived by his wife Mavis (Schmidt) Petersen of Wheaton; son Alan (Brenda) Petersen of Wheaton; daughter Donna (Delane) Finke of Naperville, IL; grandchildren: Melanie (Jim) Lupkes of Wheaton; Robin (Kyle) Johnson of Sioux Falls, SD; Alyssa Petersen of Savage, MN; Martin Petersen of Wheaton; Kristina (Ernie) Sessa of Naperville, IL; and LaShelle (Matt) Cassity of Naperville, IL; great-grandchildren: Nickelas and Kiara Lupkes, Ashley and Nicole Sessa; and Emma and Abigail Cassity.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents H. Martin and Sophie Petersen; son David Petersen and sisters: Melva Winter and Bernita Bohnenstingl.