Ronald R. Peterson

Ronald R. Peterson was born in Bertha MN to Richard and Ruth (Hoglund) Peterson on March 24, 1947. The baby boom necessitated Ron sleeping in a dresser drawer instead of a crib. He grew up on his family’s Todd County Century Farm, attended District #15 country school through grade 6 and graduated from Long Prairie High School. He entered the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus August 1965 but was drafted in the U.S. Army. He served two years with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade in the Republic of Viet Nam and survived the Tet Offensive of 1968. Ron returned to the UMN, earning a degree in Plant and Soil Science. His training led to careers in commercial greenhouse flower production, farming and county government, including both Planning and Environmental Services. Ron married the love of his life Jerrolyn (Jerri) Stenoien on February 18, 1967. They were blessed with two daughters, a son, and seven grandchildren whom he cherished dearly. Ron was a lifelong learner who enjoyed challenges, working and playing hard and helping others. Ron faithfully served God. As a member of Grace Covenant Church he pursued many responsibilities including the Holmquist Community Park committee, Paint-a-thon team leader, developing the annual Wild Game Feed, co-founding a garden club, and served as the Morrison County Chaplaincy Board treasurer. He also loved working with youth and children, vegetable gardening at St. Francis Community Garden and tending his flowers at home. He helped reestablish the Little Falls Garden tour to benefit the local food shelf, furthering his love of giving. Ron loved teaching others how to be good stewards of the environment. Ron is survived by his wife of forty five years, Jerrolyn; daughter Gretchen (Christopher) Halverson of St. Louis Park; MN; son, Erik (Barbara) Peterson of Alexandria, MN; daughter, Sarah (Joel) Stensrud of Minneapolis, MN; his beloved grandchildren, Maren and Johanna Halverson, Kirin and Greger Peterson, Aidan, Anika, and Isabella Stensrud; his mother, Ruth Peterson and brother, David Peterson of rural Long Prairie, MN; sisters, Sharon (Paul) Eberhard of Falcon Heights, MN and Judy (Mike) Nelson of Elk River, MN. Ron was preceded in death by his father, Richard Peterson; and brother, Lowell Peterson. Honorary Pallbearers will be Paul Eberhard, Mike Nelson, Paul Lauthen, Bob Hoglund, Jim Hoglund and Mark Hoglund. Active Pallbearers will be Kim Miller, Jeremy Miller, Daniel Eberhard, Jordan Danielson, Collin Quinn and Matthew Hosfeld.

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Ronald R. Peterson

March 24, 1947 - May 10, 2012