David Peterson

Mankato attorney David Thomas Peterson, 64, departed this world with dignity on January 3, 2007 with his wife and children by his side at his North Mankato home.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, North Mankato at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 8 with Father Rick Colletti officiating. Friends and family will gather for visitation and remembrance of David's life on Sunday from 2-5 pm at Mankato Mortuary with a 4:45 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Monday.

David was born to Laurice and Melva (Davidson) Peterson in Mankato on May 18, 1942. He graduated from Loyola High in 1960, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota in 1966. David graduated Cum Laude with a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1971.

He joined the law firm Blethen, Gage and Krause in 1971 and was the firm's managing partner at the time of his death. For several years, his peers in the Minnesota legal community voted him a SuperLawyer of Minnesota. He was proud of his profession and his law firm and was dedicated to his clients, many of whom became good friends.

David gave his time to the Mankato community in many ways. He served on the Mankato Rehabilitation Center, Inc (MRCI) Board of Directors from 1972 until the present. He was a founding member of the Schola Foundation. David served as a director or officer of numerous civic and charitable organizations including the Valley Opportunity, Loyola Alumni Association, the University of Minnesota Law School Alumni Board, Mankato Charter Commission and SMILES. David also served as President of the Mankato Golf Club in 1996.

David genuinely loved people and was a true friend to so many. His devotion and love as a husband and father brought joy and laughter to his family daily. His grandchildren filled him with pride and joy. He lived life with zeal. Travel with friends and family and time spent on the golf course gave David a special happiness.

His remaining family includes his wife Rae Jean Peterson; Elizabeth Callahan, his sister; Christopher David Peterson and Meredith Patt, his son and daughter-in-law living in Los Angeles, CA; Ann and Kevin Cohen, his daughter and son-in-law and their children Maxwell, Alison and Isaac living in Boston, MA. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Wayne.

His family asks that memorial gifts be made to MRCI to help continue his work for Mankato area citizens with special needs, or to an organization of the donor's choice.