Paul Peterson

Lake Crystal Mortuary
507-726-6161

Paul Peterson, age 106, of Lake Crystal, died Friday, December 3, 2010 at Crystal Seasons in Lake Crystal.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., December 6, 2010 at First United Methodist Church in Lake Crystal, with Rev. Debbie King Quale officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Minneopa Cemetery in Mankato. Lake Crystal Mortuary handled the arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials will be accepted by the family and distributed to the local United Methodist and First Presbyterian churches.

Paul was born in Milner, North Dakota on January 6, 1904, to Edwin and Luella Peterson. On September 30, l933, Paul married Elizabeth Wigley. Paul and Liz farmed in the Lake Crystal area until 1973 when they moved off the farm into the city of Lake Crystal. While on the farm, he took great pride in raising beef cattle and purebred Duroc hogs. He was a longtime member of the Minnesota Pork Producers Association and an early advocate for the Minnesota Testing Station Program in New Ulm, MN. Paul remained in his home until 2002 when he moved to the Lake Crystal Towers and most recently resided at Crystal Seasons.

Paul loved to visit and entertain his family and friends with wonderful childhood and years of farming stories. Paul's "Memories and Stories" written in his own words at age 104, is on file at the Blue Earth County Historical Society. He was a true fan of the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins and in earlier days, never missed listening to the Minneapolis Lakers on the radio. Paul loved to laugh especially while listening to Boone and Erickson every morning on WCCO radio.

At age 100, Paul was honored to be chosen co-grand marshal, along with his friend, Bill Davis at Duck Days in Lake Crystal. Paul drove a team of Percheron draft horses in the parade, which was definitely one of the highlights of his life.

Paul is survived by his children, Patricia (Everett) Berg, Mary (Gerry) Ackermann, and James (Betty Lou) Peterson; grandchildren, Jean (Don) McCann, William (Heeyoung) Berg, Meggan (Mike) Malone, Samantha Ackermann, Matthew (Holly) Peterson and John Paul Peterson; great grandchildren, Nathan and Nicole McCann, Ian, Sarah and Owen Berg, Maxx, Cole, Cooper and Tatum Malone, Izabelle Peterson; and nieces and nephews, including Marcelyn Pedersen.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, one sister and two brothers.