Ernest L. Peterson, 87, of Longmont, Colo., passed away April 13, 2008, at his home.

He was born Dec. 20, 1920, in Albert Lea to Oscar and Nora (Halvorson) Peterson. He was baptized March 6, 1921, in Albert Lea and confirmed Oct. 3, 1937, at Christ Lutheran Church in Genoa, Colo. He grew up on farms in Genoa and Bovina, Colo.

Ernest graduated from high school in Bovina, Colo., in 1940, while in high school he drove the school bus as his family was the last on the bus route.

He served in the U.S. Army from August 1942 to November 1945 in Europe in the 30th Infantry attached to the 531st AAA.

Ernest moved to Longmont in 1945 from Bovina.

He married Charlotte Billing on Dec. 22, 1950, in Cornelius, Ore.

Following World War II Ernest worked for Gibson Tractor Company in Longmont in the R & D department. He then started Peterson Hay Company raising hay, doing custom farming and trucking. He worked until the day he died.

He was a 62-year member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and served on the church council and the building committee. He served on the Longs Peak Water Board for 22 years. Ernest was active with the Longs Peak Boy Scouts Council, a member of John Harold Buckley Post 32 American Legion and Disabled American Veterans. Ernest enjoyed his work, hunting and fishing, his family, grandchildren, great grandchildren and attending family reunions.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Clarence Peterson; three sisters, Alma Kunath, Nellie Peterson and Janice Mischel and a son-in-law, Richard Kasperbauer.

Survivors include his wife Charlotte Peterson of Longmont; two sons, Stephen Peterson and his wife Joyce of Greeley, Colo., and Scott Peterson and his friend Terri Morgan of Platteville, Colo.; four daughters, Shirley Kasperbauer and her friend Michael Cooperman of Longmont; Sharon Peterson of Minneapolis, Gail Felton and husband Mike of Longmont and Arja Hornborg, a Finnish exchange student and husband Heikki; three brothers, Wayne Peterson and his wife Norma of Albuquerque, N.M.; Harold Peterson and his wife Barbara of Oklahoma City and Arnold Peterson of Kingman, Ariz.; a sister, Evelyn Enderson and her husband Herman of Greeley, Mother-in-law Virginia Billing of Hillsboro, Ore.; sisters-in-law; Marceil Simpson, Norma Hansen and husband Selby, Ann Peterson, brother-in-law Charles Mischel; 12 grandchildren; Ronald Peterson, Robert Peterson, Joseph Peterson, Michael Kasperbauer and his wife Charmaine, Becky Kasperbauer and friend Aaron Hart, and Jill Kasperbauer and friend Adam Luere, Michelle Hanson and husband Kevin, Kelly Tienken and husband Jim, Christy Felton and friend Scott Campbell, Juhani, Helena, Johanna Hornborg; and six great-grandchildren, Brianna and Michael Kasperbauer Jr., Carly Hopp, Emily and Hannah Ross, Zane Tienken.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, Longmont, Colo., with family present to receive friends. The funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Interment Foothills Gardens of Memory. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or to the American Legion Post 32 and sent to Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to leave condolences for Ernest&8217;s family.