Arthur “Art” Peterson, 94, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Thursday, January 8, 2015 at Woodland Lodge in Fergus Falls.
Art was born March 19, 1920 to Andrew and Emma (Setterlund) Peterson. He grew up in Orwell Township and was baptized and confirmed at Augustana Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. He was educated in Ottertail County, and worked on various farms.
Art left Minnesota for California in 1941 to work as a painter in North American Aviation in Ingelwood until he entered the Army Air Corps in 1942. He served at Muroc Air Force Base where he acted as 1st Sgt. for 300 men. After obtaining the rank of Tech Sargent he was honorably discharged on December 4, 1945 at March Field, CA. He returned to Minnesota in 1946.
He was united in marriage to LaVerne Erickson on November 26, 1947. They lived on a farm near Dalton, MN for 16 years. They had two children Nancy and Blaine. In 1964 they had an auction sale and moved to Hardin, MT where he was co-owner of a construction company for three and a half years.
They returned to the Fergus Falls area in 1967. After building a new home on Wall Lake, he continued to work on various construction jobs until he retired in 1982.
Art was a member of Zion-Sarpsborg Lutheran Church. He received the American Theatre Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, traveling, puzzles and his grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers, Roy (Elsie) and Ray; three sisters, Edna (Albert) Steiner, Ester (Elmer) Zill and Helen (Alvin) Kvale.
Survivors include his wife LaVerne; daughter Nancy (Ray) Olson of Rockford, IL; son Blaine (Amy) Peterson of Fergus Falls; grandchildren Sara Peterson of Duluth; Ryan (Ashley) Peterson of Lewistown, MT; Chelsea Olson of Rockford, IL; great-grandson Owen Arthur Peterson; a brother Kenneth (Alice) Peterson of Battle Lake and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation: One hour prior to service at the funeral home
Memorial Service: 11 a.m. Saturday January 17, 2015, at the Olson Funeral Home Chapel, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Pastor Mark Johnson
Burial: Sarpsborg Cemetery, Dalton, at a later date
Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, Minnesota