Reverend Wilhelm W. Petersen

Reverend Wilhelm W. Petersen, age 89, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on August 26, 2018 while living with his daughter in Wayzata, MN.  In his waning years he suffered from Alzheimer’s. 

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 30 at 11:00 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, North Mankato.  Visitation will be on Thursday from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the church.  Burial will be at Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery.  Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Peace Lutheran Church, North Mankato and Bethany Lutheran Seminary, Mankato. 

Wilhelm was born on October 17, 1928 in Scarville, IA to Rev. Justin and Netti (Knudson) Petersen.  He attended Scarville Lutheran School, Bethany Lutheran High School and College in Mankato, as well as Northwestern College in Watertown, WI.  Wilhelm then attended Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary in Mankato, graduating and being ordained in 1953. 

Wilhelm served parishes in Oklee, MN, Madison, WI, and Mankato.  He also served as president of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS).  In 1980, he was called to be president of Bethany Lutheran Seminary, until his retirement in 1997.  He served his Lord faithfully for over 50 years as a pastor, teacher, and synodical official. 

On July 19, 1953, he was united in marriage to Naomi Madson at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Mankato.  God blessed their union with six children, Ruth, Joel, Thomas, Philip, Carol, and Kristen.

Wilhelm is survived by his children, Ruth (Eric) Jahn and their children Paul (Daisy), Stephen, and Andrew, Joel (Carol) Petersen and their children, Brent (Marlene), Meg, Aaron (Rebecca), Lisa (Christian) Preus, David (Chellsea), Timothy, Jenny (Nik) Schultz, Thomas (Joann) Petersen and their children, Benjamin (Wendy), Lindsey (Mark) Di Steffano, Brian (Jen), Philip Petersen and his son, Tillman, Carol Petersen and her children, Jenna and Jacob Mueller, and Kristen (Kevin) Macintosh and their children, Natalie and Turner; great-grandchildren, Benson, Meg, Lily, Reid, David, Abraham, Christine, Martha, Mary, Isaac, Alice, Norman, Ella, Clayton, Ava, Aubrianna, Olivia, Joseph, and Brody; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brothers, Joseph, Justin, and Paul; and sister, Camilla.

 Blessed be his memory