Gerald Peterson

Gerald “Jerry” K. Peterson, 78, of Fergus Falls, died Thursday, May 5, 2011, at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He was born in Aldrich, Minnesota, on September 30, 1932 to Kline and Ella (Freitag) Peterson. He attended school in Staples, Minnesota, and then served in the U.S. Army for two years during the Korean War. He returned to Staples and married Shirley Haugen on December 17, 1955 at First Lutheran Church. He went to Moler Barber College in Minneapolis in January of 1956. After graduating, he barbered in Staples and Alexandria before moving to Fergus Falls in May of 1958. He had a three-chair barber shop for many years at 111 East Lincoln, and then moved to 107 North Cascade Street. Jerry loved hunting and fishing with his dad and two brothers, and later, with his two sons, Kevin and Kurt. For many years they enjoyed their cabin and hunting near Staples. He liked being at the lake cabin on Clear Lake. Another enjoyment was visiting with his friends at The Viking Café. Jerry retired on November 30, 2007 after 52 years of barbering. Preceding him in death were his parents, Kline and Ella Peterson, his sister, Becky Mertens, and a brother, James, who died in infancy. He is survived by his wife, Shirley of Fergus Falls; sons Kevin (Brenda) Peterson and Kurt Peterson (Julie Rasmusson) of Fergus Falls, and daughter Kristi (Shawn) Kelly of Fargo; four grandchildren: Holly (Chris) Diestler of Fergus Falls, Heidi (Ryen) Drews of Fergus Falls, and Kaitlin and Kristin Kelly of Fargo; and three great-grandchildren: Jackson and Libbie Diestler, and Abigail Drews, all of Fergus Falls. He is also survived by his two brothers, Roger (Marty) Peterson and Duane (Rose) Peterson in Staples, and his sister, Patty (Roger) Reko in Duluth. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church Service: 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Saul Stensvaag Interment: 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Staples, Minnesota Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls