Harris D. Peterson, 76
Harris Dean Peterson, 76, of Blooming Prairie, died on Jan. 19, 2009 at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie.
He was born Dec. 22, 1932 to Theodore and Alma (Wold) Peterson at home in Westfield Township, Dodge County, Minn. After attending a one-room country school through eighth grade. Harris went on to Blooming Prairie High School to graduate in 1951. He worked with his dad at Peterson Implement, and in 1961, became a partner. Harris served in the Army during the Korean War, stationed in Germany. He married Phyllis Anderson on Dec. 9, 1956 at Community Lutheran Church in Geneva. They owned the Tastee Freez from 1957 to 1961, then becoming a partner in Peterson Implement. Harris continued to farm after Peterson Implement closed in 1997. He volunteered for the Blooming Prairie Fire Department for 36 and a half years and drove a school bus. A lifetime member and deacon of First Lutheran Church, longtime member of First Lutheran Cemetery Board, American Legion, Blooming Prairie Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Sons of Norway and Experimental Aircraft Association of Austin, his main love was flying his Piper Tri Pacer. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling.
Survivors include his wife, Phyllis of Blooming Prairie; sons, Phillip (Kay) Peterson, Owatonna; Nathan Peterson, Blooming Prairie; twin sister, Harriet (Dwain) Lehman, Whitehouse, Ohio; sisters-in-law, Bernadine Peterson, Blooming Prairie, Julie Peterson, Blooming Prairie, Lois Peterson, Albert Lea; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009 at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie with Pastor Heidi Heimgartner and Pastor Karl Korbel officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home and at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment is at the First Lutheran Cemetery, Blooming Prairie, with military honors by Blooming Prairie American Legion Post 52. The family prefers memorials to donors’ choice.