Alfred Petersen

Alfred Eugene Petersen was born September 14, 1926 in Montevideo, Minnesota, the son of Alfred E. and Alfie Petersen. He passed away on October 5, 2011 at the Clara City Care Center. He was baptized and confirmed at the First Presbyterian Church in Kerkhoven. He lived and farmed most of his life in Louriston Township in Chippewa County. Alfred enjoyed working with livestock and the horse drawn equipment while working with his Dad and uncles in Louriston Township. On June 12, 1954 Alfred was united in marriage to Betty Jane Mitteness at Swift Falls Lutheran Church. This union was blessed with six children, ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Alfred ("Junior" to many) was active in Rural Youth, church functions, Farm Bureau, Adult leader to the Crate Cloves 4-H Club, where he enjoyed watching his six children show livestock. He continued to farm with his family in Louriston Township until he retired from active farming in 1989. He and Betty then moved to their hobby farm near Pequot Lakes, where he was active on the Loon Lake Township Board. During those years ?Up North? Alfred and Betty became very well known hosts of many a moon lit sleigh ride as ?Bill and Bob? or ?Barney and Beauty? pulled the restored bob-sleds through the snowy trails. Their grandchildren and many others, young and old alike, loved these old fashioned sleigh rides almost as much as Alfred and Betty loved to give them. He truly was proud of all his work horse teams. Alfred and Betty also spent numerous hours restoring antique horse drawn equipment and then re-selling it at the large auctions in Waverly, Iowa. He made a trek to Iowa twice a year, always inviting family and friends to accompany him, until failing health in 1999 forced him to retire a second time. He was proud of the fact that for several years, his restored New Idea Spreaders topped the Waverly Auctions. Many buyers from all across the USA became very familiar with is workmanship as evidenced by the large gathering at his retirement auction held at Pequot the summer of 1999. He will be missed dearly by family and friends. Alfred is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Betty who also resides at the Care Center in Clara City; six children: Alan (Lori) of Clara City, Janet (Douglas) Nelson of Rochester, Chris (Nancy) of Spicer, Jon of Starbuck, Mary (Alan) Larsen of Glencoe, and Peter (Sue) of Winner, South Dakota; grandchildren: Ross of Mankato, Beci of Minneapolis. Tony (Malissa) and Uriah of Grand Forks, Jenna Nelson of Rochester, Eric (Lauren) of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Shawn (Lynae) of Spicer, Angela (Brad) Remily and Jackson of Doland, South Dakota, Matthew and Saylor Skoglund of Fargo, Megan Skoglund of Fargo, and Michael Skoglund of Glencoe. Aunt Opal Petersen; his sister: Joyce (Vern) Youngren of Battle Lake; brother: Harold (Sharon) of Murdock as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family.