Loren Morris Peterson

Loren Morris Peterson, age 96, of Mapleton, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2025, at the Mapleton Community Home, surrounded by the love and laughter of his family — just the way he would have wanted it.

Born on June 12, 1929, in Sioux Valley, MN to Morris and Rose (Kruse) Peterson, Loren grew up moving from one farmhouse to another near Worthington, eventually settling near Lakeville when he was 15. It was there, living on the same yard as the church parsonage, that his deep connection to faith, family, and community began to flourish. And somewhere along the way, on a fateful church hayride in 1945, he met Marvel Johnson. After serving 21 months in Korea as a proud Sergeant in the U.S. Army, Loren returned home, married Marvel on June 12, 1954, and started building a life that would be filled with love, laughter, and travel.

Loren and Marvel raised their three children — Scott, Ross, and Kris — in Northfield, Lakeville, and eventually Mapleton, MN where they settled in 1961. Loren was a skilled tradesman, running his own plumbing business and working as a proud Union plumber until his retirement in 1991. Retirement, of course, didn’t slow him down one bit.

Over the next few decades, Loren and Marvel found adventure in traveling across Europe — Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, and Norway — and even made their way to Hawaii and on a cruise. For 25 winters, they traded Minnesota snow for Florida sunshine and Arizona warmth. Somewhere in the mix, they even ran an antique business for about 15 years.

Loren’s true artistry, though, was in his woodshop. From custom sequence boards and dominoes to beautifully refinished furniture, his hands seemed to carry a quiet magic — often whistling as he worked. Summers brought the sounds of sawdust and grandkids to his shop in Delavan, where he not only built crafts but also lifelong memories. He was always the first to show up for a home improvement project, tools in hand.

He loved a good card game, a strong cup of coffee, and a heartfelt conversation. Loren was a master storyteller — the kind who could make you laugh, think, and feel all in one sitting. He followed the lives of his children and grandchildren with a level of curiosity and pride that was unmatched. He didn’t just ask how you were — he really wanted to know. And while his voicemails often ended in a trademarked “bah-humbug,” everyone knew that was just his way of saying, “I love you.”

Loren leaves behind a hole that simply can’t be filled — not in the shape of a perfectly cut piece of wood, or even a well-worn card table seat. He is survived by Marvel, his beloved wife of 71 years; his children Scott (Lynn) Peterson of Mapleton, Ross (Christine) Peterson of Mapleton, and Kris (Pat) Rigdon of Waseca; eight adoring grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren who will forever cherish Grandpa Loren’s stories, hugs, and handcrafted treasures.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings — Arden, Vern, and Genevieve — and we can only imagine the joyful reunion they’re having now, likely around a card table, with Loren already whistling.

We will miss his steady hands, his gentle wisdom, and his loving heart more than words can say. But we find peace in knowing he’s still with us — in every whistle of the wind, every game of cards, and every “bah-humbug” that now echoes sweetly in our memories. 

The family requests memorials be directed to St. John Lutheran Church in Mapleton, the Mapleton Fire Department, or the charity of their choice.