Gregory Dean Peterson, 53, of Medford, Minn., formerly of Blooming Prairie, Minn., died Saturday evening, Nov. 23, 2013, at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wis. He was born Oct. 1, 1960, in Owatonna, Minn., to Wallace and Barbara (Smith) Peterson. A 1979 graduate of Blooming Prairie High School, Greg also attended Vo-Tech in Albert Lea, Minn. He worked at NCS in Owatonna, where he met Linda Houglum. Greg and Linda were married in Blooming Prairie on Feb. 14, 1987. Another place of employment for Greg was at Treadway Graphics and he owned Phoenix Motors in Faribault, Minn. In 2000, Greg started Extreme Powder Coating in Blooming Prairie. He enjoyed kart and modified dirt track racing, as well as hot rods and street rod building. Greg attended the “Good Guys” Street Rod Association events and won many awards. The most important time for him was spent with his grandchildren, going on trips, and loving his dog, Kalley.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Peterson, of Medford; his children, Michelle (Matt) Dempsey, of Medford; Tiffany Peterson (Jesse Hernandez), of Blooming Prairie; his mother, Barbara Peterson, of Blooming Prairie; grandchildren, Noah, Maveda, and Kortney; one sister, Kristen (Kent) Wilker, of Owatonna; nephew Chad and niece Abby. He was preceded in death by his father, Wallace Peterson, in July 2013, and his grandparents.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie, with Pastors Heidi Heimgartner and Charles Leonard officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Owatonna Memorial Gardens, Owatonna. The family suggests that memorials be directed to the National Leukemia Society, Cancer Research for Children, or the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester. A special thank you to the Gunderson Lutheran doctors and nursing staff for taking such great care of Greg.  Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.