Ross Petersen, 1936-2015

Published 9:40 am Monday, August 10, 2015

Ross Victor Petersen, 79, of Warren passed away early Friday morning, Aug. 7, 2015, at his home under the care of hospice.

Ross was born on May 8, 1936, in Alden, the son of Hjalmar and Vivian (Register) Petersen.  He graduated from Alden High School in 1954. Ross served in the United States Army from 1954  to 1956. On Feb. 13, 1955, he married Frances Brua in Albert Lea. Ross attended South Dakota State University before graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1962. Ross and Frances lived in Blackduck and Lyle before moving to Warren in 1977. Ross was a high school vocational agriculture teacher from 1962 to 1977, before teaching adult vocational agriculture from 1977 to 1981. From 1981 to 1998, Ross worked for the Farmers Home Administration.

Ross Petersen

Ross Petersen

He was a Future Farmers of America advisor and Boy Scout leader, and was also a gun safety and snowmobile safety instructor.

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Ross was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed helping farmers, gardening and cooking. Ross was a great ballroom and square dancer.

Left to mourn his passing are his wife, Frances; children Brenda (Randy) Olson of Oslo, Ross H. Petersen “Junior” (Debra Kobetsky) of Houston, Greg Petersen of Houston and Betsy Stone (Bruce Nelson) of Erksine; grandchildren Jesse Olson (Roongtiwa Hongcharti), Mason Olson (Vembu Teske), Jonathan Gimm, Dylan Amesur, Gregory Petersen Jr., Hailey Petersen, Jordan Stone (Dana Grassley) and Justin Stone (Megan Bergan); great-grandchildren Madison Olson, Breanna Olson, Quinn Olson, Anathi Olson-Teske and Moses Olson; family friend, Joel Stone; brother, Alan (Louise) Petersen; and in-laws Harvey and Donna Brua, Charles and Shirley Brua, Vivian Brua, Sharon Brua and Mary Jean Pagenkopf.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hjalmar Petersen and Vivian (Petersen) Cadwell; stepfather, Kenton Cadwell; brothers and sisters in-law Richard and Denise Petersen, Howard and Theresa Brua, Gerald “Jerry” and Clarine Brua and Chauncy and Glenys Brua; and brother-in-law, Oyer “Ole” Brua.

Visitation will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Warren. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Alden Cemetery in Alden with a lunch to follow at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Alden. Military services will be given by Alden American Legion Post 404.

Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.