LeRoy Peterson

LeRoy Peterson, 81, of rural Underwood, died Thursday, February 8, 2018 at Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls after a brief illness. His tired farmer’s lungs couldn't shake the impact of pneumonia. He died peacefully, with his family at his side.

He was born June 28, 1936 in Minneapolis, the son of Lauritz and Nora (Klaksvik) Peterson. His father, Lauritz was born in the village of Underwood, on October 23, 1897 and his mother, Nora was born north of Underwood, July 08, 1902 on the Svend and Anne Klaksvik 1880 Homestead in Sverdrup township. LeRoy and his sister Marilyn were born in Minneapolis, while Lauritz worked for the Soo Line Railroad and Nora was a seamstress.

LeRoy’s family moved from Minneapolis to the Klaksvik Homestead in 1939 to take over the family farm. They bought one Guernsey cow and went to auctions to buy used farm machinery. LeRoy attended country school at District 109 (The Scramstad School) through 8th Grade. He continued his education at Underwood High School, where he graduated in 1954. LeRoy studied veterinary science at the University of Minnesota for one year, and then returned to help his parents on the dairy farm.

LeRoy and Delores (Pederson) Peterson were married December 8, 1962 at the old Sverdrup Lutheran Church on a frigid winter evening (-26° F). They lived on LeRoy’s family farm, where they raised their four children: Denise, Lance, Dawn and Lon. All were active in the dairy farm operation. LeRoy was very involved in Underwood community activities as a volunteer, serving on various boards: Creamery, School, Church, and Tamarac Manor. LeRoy was confirmed at Sverdrup Lutheran Church. He served on the Sverdrup Church Council for several years, including as President.

LeRoy was a charter member of the Underwood Lion’s Club since 1978, and continued to be an active member. He grilled many pork chops for fundraising events, rang the bells for Salvation Army and participated in many other community-building activities.

He was a proud alumnus of Underwood School, and involved in many Class and All School Reunions. LeRoy loved watching his children and grandchildren in Underwood Rocket school activities, especially music and sports. He was a devoted University of Minnesota Golden Gopher fan, too. Attending Sverdrup Church with his family over the years was also very special to him. LeRoy encouraged everyone to sing in the choir, which he loved and his bass voice could usually be heard loud and clear!

Preceding him in death were his parents; and twelve-year-old daughter, Dawn. LeRoy encouraged Delores to write The Determination of Dawn, a chronicle of Dawn’s two-year battle with cancer as she was determined to live until she died. Also preceding him in death were his brother-in-law, Berdell Woessner, sister-in-law, Joyce Dickinson (Pederson), infant niece, Stacy Lynn Strand and great nephew, Jack McCue.

Survivors include his wife, Delores of Underwood; daughter, Denise (Corey) Holtz of Eden Prairie, sons, Lance (Michele) Peterson and Lon (Loretta) Peterson both of Underwood; grandchildren, Chad, Carter, Kindra, Cole and Chloe Peterson of Underwood, and Ryan Holtz of Eden Prairie; step-grandson, Corey Resler of Fergus Falls; sister, Marilyn (Del) Strand of Bloomington; brothers and sisters-in-law, Eleanor (Janey) Woessner of Elbow Lake, Duane (Chris) Pederson of Underwood, LeAnn (Verlyn) Dornburg of Underwood, Larry Pederson of Portland, OR; as well as several cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to donor’s choice: Sverdrup Lutheran Church Memorial or Cemetery Fund or Underwood Education/Community Foundation.

Visitation: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, February 11, 2018, at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 11 a.m. Monday, February 12, 2018, at Sverdrup Lutheran Church, Underwood
Clergy: Reverend Nancy Monke
Interment: Sverdrup Lutheran Cemetery, Underwood, MN
Arrangements are provided by the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Online condolences may be sent to www.OlsonFuneralHome.com