E.C. Peterson

Ernest Charles “Pete” Peterson, 94, a resident of Fergus Falls, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at the Homestead Pioneer Senior Cottage in Fergus Falls. Pete was born September 3, 1915, in Rugby, North Dakota, the last of four children born to Charles and Rosa (Young) Peterson. He grew up in the Rugby area, graduating from high school there in 1933.   As a young boy, he and his brothers delivered milk from their farm. Following high school, Pete followed in the footsteps of his brothers and began attending the University of Minnesota, but a depression-era call from the North Dakota prairie offering him the assistant manager’s position at the Rugby J. C. Penney store put an end to his collegiate career. Pete managed Penney stores in Rugby, Langdon and Grafton, North Dakota, Sisseton, South Dakota, and Winona and Fergus Falls, Minnesota for a total of 41 years.  On June 5, 1943, he married Muriel B. Wing in Cavalier, North Dakota. They moved to Fergus Falls in 1960. In 1972 Pete was chairman of the Fergus Falls Centennial Commission. He retired in 1975 after managing both of the Lincoln Avenue Penney stores. Pete had the hands of a craftsman and the eyes of an artist, and produced hundreds of craft pieces, including carved birds, stained glass light fixtures, windows and lampshades, caned furniture, lathe turnings, and rugs and other fabrics made with a loom he built himself. He also loved to garden. He was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Fergus Falls. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Muriel, of Fergus Falls; by their three children, David (Nancy) Peterson of Arpin, Wisconsin, Diane Landry of Boston, Massachusetts, and Barb Peterson (Sam Wathen) of Conway, South Carolina, as well as by their AFS daughter, Yvette Xavier-Koh; seven grandchildren: Jennifer (Adam), Bradford, Nicole, Matthew, Amanda, Hannah, and Isaac; and one great-grandson, Henry. Additional survivors include special nieces Pat Shipp and Marge McLaughlin, and other nieces and nephews; and a sister-in-law, Opal Peterson and her sons Chuck (Darlene) and Rich (Peggy). Preceding him in death were his parents, his brothers, Bernie and Chester Peterson, and his sister, Dorothy. Pete will be greatly missed by his family. He has been a wonderful, loving, and caring husband, father, and grandfather. He was a man of integrity, who was generous and kind. Memorials are preferred to Grace United Methodist Church, Lakeland Hospice, or the Alzheimers Association. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, October 29, 2009, at Grace United Methodist Church in Fergus Falls, with Reverend Bob Kandels and Chaplain Harry Olson officiating. Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com