Gordon Peterson, 87

Middle River - Gordon Ernest Peterson, 87, of Middle River, passed away Monday, July 15, 2024, at the VA Hospital in Fargo, ND. He was born on February 24, 1937, the son of Ernest and Cora (Nelson) Peterson. He was born on the family farm in Middle River, being delivered by the midwife Mrs. Iverson. His birth was recorded at the Marshall County Seat in Warren. Gordon attended E.M. Evans Country School through 8th grade, then went to town school for two years. When he finished 10th grade, he decided to drop out of school. In January 1955, he joined the Army, being honorably discharged in January 1958. He then moved to Minneapolis to begin road construction work for the next seven years. He would do road construction during the week, then head up to the family farm on weekends to help with the farm work. On March 26, 1960, Gordon married LuAnn Smith. They resided in Minneapolis where Donna and Todd were born. In 1962, they bought a farm in Middle River just down the road from his family farm. LuAnn and the kids lived on the farm while Gordon continued to work construction during the week and returned to the farm on weekends. In 1965, he decided to give up the construction job to do farming full-time. Farming consisted of milking dairy cows and grain farming 280 acres. Between 1962 and 1966 their family continued to grow with the birth of Troy, Trent, Darla and Chad. Farming was a family job. LuAnn and the kids all had chores to do. In 1980, they decided to sell the farm to move just 2 miles north up the road to a different home on 10 acres of land. After he stopped his farming career, Gordon held various jobs throughout the years working at the M.R. grain elevator, Arctic Cat, Polaris and he assisted various farmers with their farm work. In his younger years Gordon enjoyed fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and yard work. He still enjoyed his riding lawn mower until a couple of weeks before he passed. He always wanted his yard to look nice so he would spend hours on his riding lawn mower. Gordon is survived by his children, Donna Peterson (Ethel Erickson) of Brooklyn Park, Todd Peterson (Karen Larson) of Middle River, Troy (Joni) Peterson of Newfolden, Trent Peterson of Middle River, Darla Blatz of Isanti, and Chad Peterson of Middle River; 15 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren; sisters, Darlene (Darrell) Taie of Coon Rapids, and Carol Hanson of Coon Rapids; brother, Vern (Peggy) Peterson of Middle River; brother-in-law, Ronald Smith of Milwaukee, WI; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; wife, LuAnn in 2018; brother, Earl Peterson; sisters-in-law, Helen Peterson, Carol Benitt, and Shirly Smith; brothers-in-law, Robert Hanson, Kenny Smith, and Elroy Benitt; and son-in-law, Aaron Blatz. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with the service to celebrate Gordon’s life at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, with Rev. Timothy Lundeen officiating. A time of lunch and fellowship will follow the service, and burial will be at Spruce Valley Cemetery near Middle River. Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com. A00003B2024JY24