Kurt Harold Petersen, 92, Luverne, died Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at the Sanford Luverne Hospital.
A funeral service was Saturday, Sept. 21 at the St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. Burial followed at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Kurt Petersen was born on Jan. 5, 1927, to Ferdinand and Elvira (Cronberg) Petersen in Springwater Township of Rock County. Kurt was raised on the family farm and attended District 21 country school through the eighth grade. He was baptized on July 17, 1938, at St. John Lutheran Church and on July 13, 1941, he confirmed his faith at the church. Following his education, Kurt worked on the home farm and also at neighboring farms for about six years.
On Dec. 22, 1946, Kurt was united in marriage to Dorothy Kemerling at St. John Lutheran Church. From 1947 to 1948, Kurt worked for Bill Akkerman and then in March of 1948, the couple moved to Neal Roberts’ farm where they farmed and began raising their family until March of 1957. They then moved their family to Kurt’s family farm in Springwater Township and continued to farm there for the next 40 years. In 1997, Kurt and Dorothy retired and moved into Luverne.
Kurt was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne, where he was an elder and involved in both the men’s club and the couple’s club. He served on the Farmers Union Board and the Soil Conservation Service Board. In his spare time, Kurt enjoyed fishing year-round, playing cards, ballroom dancing, camping, traveling, watching the Minnesota Twins, and especially enjoyed spending time with his family.
Kurt is lovingly survived by his wife of 72 years, Dorothy; nine children, Gary (Elizabeth) Petersen of North Mankato, Bruce (Karen) Petersen of Brandon, South Dakota, Mark Petersen of Luverne, Kevin (Marty) Petersen of St. Cloud, Lyle Petersen of Luverne, Kate (John) Thomas of Tacoma, Washington, Dan (Dawn) Petersen of Luverne, Ellie (Bryce) Oldre of Luverne, and Brad (Amy) Petersen of Luverne; 20 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; sister, Carol (Jim) Drews of Auburn, CA; sister-in-law, Loretta Petersen of Luverne; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Robbie Petersen; parents; and three siblings, Elaine (Sylvester) Reker, Ralph Petersen, and Gordon (Gwen) Petersen.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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