Gaylord Peterson

Mankato Mortuary
1001 N. Riverfront Drive
Mankato, MN 56001
507-388-2202

Donald Gaylord "Pete" Peterson, age 82, of Mankato, MN, died Thursday, February 20, 2014, at his winter home in Harlingen, TX.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 27, 2014, at Grace Baptist Church in Mankato, with Rev. Larry Johnson officiating. Interment will be held at a later date in Minneopa Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday at Mankato Mortuary, and continues one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Memorials may be given to the donor's choice.

Pete was born on April 27, 1931, in Leeds Township, Murray County, MN. He was the son of Peter and Lilly (Annis) Peterson. Pete was a 1950 graduate of Ruthton High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 until 1955 in California and Alaska. Pete was united in marriage to June Kelson on March 19, 1955, in Balaton, MN. He was employed with Minnegasco for many years until his retirement in 1991. Pete was a member of Grace Baptist Church. He enjoyed woodcarving, building furniture and clocks, meeting friends for coffee, attending his sons' and grandchildren's softball games, traveling, and spending the last 16 winters in the Rio Grande Valley.

Pete is survived by his wife, June Peterson of Mankato; two sons, Mark (Deb) Peterson of Eagan, MN and Darwin (fianc"e, Jeanne Madson) Peterson of rural Madison Lake, MN; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Cody) Draheim, Jessica Sloderbeck, Andrew (special friend, Molly) Peterson, Matthew Peterson, Brent Peterson, and Kyle Peterson; three great-grandchildren, Tyler and Dionna Sloderbeck, and Shelby Draheim; three brothers, Irvin (Judy) Peterson of Washington, Gerald (Edwina) Peterson of Louisiana, and Merritt (Iva) Peterson of Red Wing, MN; also many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and six brothers.