Vernon Peterson

Vernon R. Peterson, age 85, of Parkers Prairie, died Sunday, August 4, 2013, at St. William's Living Center in Parkers Prairie.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 12, 2013, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie with Rev. Jonathan Sorum officiating. Music will be provided by vocalists, Dedra Zwieg and Arlo Peterson. Burial will take place at Swedish Lutheran Cemetery, rural Parkers Prairie with military honors accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard and Parkers Prairie American Legion Post #219.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Sunday at Lind Family Funeral Home in Parkers Prairie and continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Vernon Roger Peterson was born October 30, 1927, to Albert and Hilma (Peterson) Peterson in Alexandria, Minnesota. He was a life-long member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie being baptized January 10, 1928, by Rev. J. Edor Larson and confirmed June 8, 1941, by Rev. Lambert Engwall. Vernon attended Highway Park Country School through the eighth grade. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1946, and was honorably discharged in 1947. He returned to the family farm six miles north of Parkers Prairie and continued crop farming and raising hogs. He retired to Parkers Prairie in 1997. Although his education was brief, Vernon believed in life-long learning. He was an avid reader, subscribing to numerous newspapers, magazines and other publications. At the age of eighty two, he purchased his first computer. In addition, he enjoyed visiting with family and friends. He enjoyed baseball and was an avid Minnesota Twins fan. For the past ten years, he has been a resident of St. William's Living Center where he participated in numerous activities and events.

Vernon is survived by his sister, Doris Paulson of Parkers Prairie; niece, Ruth (James) Weispfenning of Rochester; great-nephews, Michael (Tami) Weispfenning and John Weispfenning both of Shakopee; great-nieces, Tressa (Josh) Wiltsie of Chaska and Alissa Weispfenning of Minneapolis; great great-nephews, Cody Weispfenning and Blayne Wiltsie; great great-nieces, Kennedy Weispfenning and Jadea Wiltsie; along with several cousins.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Leonard Paulson.

Pallbearers honoring Vernon are James Weispfenning, Michael Weispfenning, John Weispfenning, Josh Wiltsie, Rodney Peterson, Rick Guenther, Steve Martinson and Dale Weber. Honorary pallbearers are Douglas Brunson, Harvey Peterson and Arlo Peterson.

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