Henry George Petersen, 75, Hardwick, died Sunday, June 7, 2020, at his home surrounded by family.
A memorial celebration of Henry’s life will be Saturday, June 13, beginning at 3 p.m. and continuing into the night. Friends are invited to drive through the yard to offer their condolences or stay and make their way into the shop to have a beverage at the spool in Henry’s memory.
Henry Petersen was born on Dec. 30, 1944, to George and Elnora (Resen) Petersen at Pipestone Hospital in Pipestone. He was raised on the family farm and attended school through the eighth grade. After his schooling, Henry went to work doing road construction. Following his Dad’s death, Henry returned to the family’s farm north of Hardwick and resumed farming.
On June 4, 1966, Henry married Ann Mortland at the Lake Benton Methodist Church in Lake Benton. They made their home on the farm near Hardwick and were blessed with four children. Henry enjoyed helping others when he was needed. He helped Earl Scott with his cattle. He helped bartend for a while at Kroggies Kegger and KJ Bar. He hauled pigs for New Horizon Farms, as well as Ranco Trucking and Bulluyt Trucking. Henry never did formally retire. He had the opportunity to help plant the 2020 crop and was planning on helping mow hay this summer.
Ann preceded Henry in death on Jan. 17, 2019. He remained living in their home until his death.
Henry was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick. He was currently a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Edgerton and a member of the Arthur Moeller American Legion in Hardwick. He enjoyed his family and coffee time in the shop with cookies for the grandkids. He enjoyed helping family with 4-H projects and learning about animals. Henry also enjoyed happy hour with friends and family in his shop around the spool.
Henry is survived by three children, Beth (Terry) Kalass of Luverne, Hope (Lowell) Schelhaas of Hardwick, and Heath (Keri) Petersen of Edgerton; eight grandchildren, Spenser Kalass (Marni DeBoer), Jasmine Kalass, Jenna and Nicole Schelhaas, and Kenzi, Hank, Huck and Hatcher Petersen; brother Dale (Jean) Petersen of Park Rapids; four in-laws, Rosie Petersen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Eugene Van Huevelen of Chandler, Virginia Yearous of Balaton, and Dan (Priscilla) Mortland of Illinois; and “The Spool Crew”.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann; son Hank; his parents; sister Louise Van Huevelen; brother Loren Petersen; and in-laws Dean (Maryline) Mortland, Delmare Yearous, and Berniece (James) Mortland.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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