Stephen R Petersen

Stephen Roy Petersen, age 55, of North Mankato died Friday morning, December 16, 2005 at Immanuel-St. Joseph Hospital.

Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 19, 2005 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mankato with Rev. Paul Nolting officiating. Private family burial will be held at Pilgrims Rest Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Mankato Mortuary and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Birthright or American Heart Association.

Stephen was born February 27, 1950 in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota to Roy and Flora Marie (Gruendemann) Petersen. He graduated from Mankato West High School in 1968. On September 25, 1971, he married Karen Jo Sorebo at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Mankato. Stephen was employed with ISD 77 as custodian at Mankato West High School, and most recently at Garfield Elementary School. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, VFW Post 950, and NRA. Stephen was very proud of his service in Viet Nam and having received the Army Commendation Medal, and also of being a grandfather. He was an avid deer, duck, and varmint hunter, fisherman, and an outdoorsman. He enjoyed boating, camping, and loved being with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Karen Jo Petersen of North Mankato; three children, Stacey (Russ) Warnke of North Mankato, Kristie Sissy (Michael) Kitts of North Mankato, Thomas Petersen of Mankato; two grandchildren, Haley and Matt Warnke; brother, Stan (Pat) Petersen of North Mankato; sister, JoAnn (Mark) Scheurer of Mankato; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Stephen was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Flora Petersen.