Harvey Peterson

Harvey R. Peterson, age 85, of Parkers Prairie, died Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria.

Funeral services are 11 a.m., Monday, March 6, 2017 at Esther Lutheran Church in Eastern Township with Rev. Tom Kolden officiating. Music is provided by organist, Inez Haase. Burial is at the church cemetery. Full military honors provided by the Minnesota Honor Guard, the Parkers Prairie American Legion Post #219, and taps by Zach Olson.

Visitation is 3-6 p.m., Sunday at Lind Family Funeral Home in Parkers Prairie and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Harvey Raymond Peterson was born on March 12, 1931 to Edward and Viva (Counsel) Peterson in Alexandria. He was baptized on March 25, 1931 at the parsonage in Alexandria and confirmed on September 16, 1945 at Esther Lutheran Church. Harvey attended Joy School in Eastern Township and graduated from eighth grade in 1945. He was also active in the rural and church youth groups and a member of the Eastern Stars 4H, serving as a leader. Following his education, he worked on the family farm until he enlisted in the United States Army in 1954. He was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort Benning, Georgia; and Fort McNair, Washington D.C. Harvey was united in marriage to Irene Skoglund on May 16, 1954 at the First Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie. Together they lived in Washington D.C., where he guarded President Eisenhower and worked for the Honor Guard at Arlington National Cemetery placing flags on the 87,000 soldier’s graves. Also during active duty, they were blessed with their first-born son, Rodney. Following his honorable discharge from the Pentagon on New Year’s Eve 1955, Harvey and Irene moved back to take over the family farm following his father’s death. There they had their second son, David and daughter, Marcia.  He continued to farm until his retirement. They made their home on Lake Irene near Miltona where Harvey lived until his death. He was a lifetime member of Esther Lutheran Church and the Parkers Prairie American Legion Post #219. Harvey was active on the Rose City Creamery board, Esther Lutheran Church board, the Otter Tail County ASCS board, and served as a salesman for Jacques Seed Corn. Harvey enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, talking politics, driving around, and coffee at the Cozy Cup Café. He especially enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters. Harvey enjoyed learning to use a cellphone and called his granddaughters often.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Viva; son, David Allen Peterson; and infant sister, Dorothy.

Harvey is survived by Irene his wife of 62 years; son, Rodney Peterson of Parkers Prairie; daughter, Marcia (Rick) Guenther of Parkers Prairie; two granddaughters, Amber Guenther (special friend, Ryan Ness) and Anna Guenther (fiancé, Trent Hagen) both of Parkers Prairie; sister, Darlene Feiereisen of Roseberg, Oregon; host daughter, Maria Nebeling of Bingen, Germany; and many other relatives.

Pallbearers are Bruce Anderson, Gary Anderson, Dave Penrose, Doug Schmidt, Doug Skoglund, and Clayton Skoglund. Honorary pallbearers are Amber Guenther, Ryan Ness, Anna Guenther, Trent Hagen, Rick Guenther, Lawrence Doble, Larry Sather, and Maria Nebeling.