Red Lake Falls – Vernon “Vern” Peterson, 83, of Red Lake Falls,  passed away on Friday, February 18, 2022 at his residence with his loving wife, Lorna by his side.
Vernon Edwin Peterson was born June 24, 1938 in Pelan Township, Kittson County, rural Karlstad, the son of Edwin and Marie (Flaten) Peterson. He was baptized April 29, 1965 by Father Gerald Noesen and confirmed April 21, 1967 by Bishop Glenn at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls.
He attended schools in Karlstad, Hastings, St. Hilaire, and graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls with the class of 1957.
From 1957-1964 Vern served with the Army National Guard, Thief River Falls and was Honorably Discharged as Sargent in 1964.
On May 1, 1965, May Day, Vern was united in marriage to Lorna Lee Ford at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls. To this union three children were born: Timothy John in 1967, Mark William in 1969 and Amy Lee in 1978. The family lived in rural Red Lake Falls from 1965-1967, city of Red Lake Falls from 1967-1969, St. Hilaire from 1969-1978 and rural Red Lake Falls since 1978.
Vern worked at various jobs including Ken Bothum Potato Farms, Karlstad,  1949, Jorgen Knutson Farms, Red Lake Falls,  1950, Engelstad Farms, Thief River Falls, 1956-1957, Land O’ Lakes Trucking and Hatchery, 1957-1962, Shetler’s Hatchery, Thief River Falls,  1965-1967, Steiger’s Manufacturing, Red Lake Falls, 1967-1978, American Crystal Sugar Company, Crookston, 1978-2001, where he retired after 23 years of seasonal work. Vern farmed from 1953-2004 while doing the above-mentioned jobs as well, and retired from farming in 2004 after 51 years.
He enjoyed traveling, maintaining a beautiful yard, bingo, auction sales, area winter shows, 4-wheeling, TV shows-especially RFD and Stephen Colbert monologue, area parades and festivals, thrashing bees, woodworking/crafts, camping, campfires, reading, and listening to KTRF radio. Vern was known as the “Popcorn Man” when meeting with the Garden Club at St. Hilaire. He also enjoyed spending time with grandkids and family and WORK, WORK, WORK!! He always had two jobs.
Survivors include wife, Lorna, of 56 years; children, Tim (Paula) Peterson of Fergus Falls, Mark (Pam) Peterson of Monticello, Amy (Jitu) Falodia of North Bend, WA; grandchildren, Jacob (Steph) Peterson and Rylee Peterson, Kyler and Kaden Peterson, Maya, Anjali, and Kavya Falodia; brother, Rudy Peterson of Mt. Pleasant, WI; sister, Gladys Kush of Iron; sisters-in-law,  Carolyn Rahier of Thief River Falls, Marlene Peterson of South Milwaukee, WI; brother-in-law, Terry (Julie) Ford of Council Bluffs, IA; nieces and nephews; cousins; and special friend, Lee Johnson of Thief River Falls; and many other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Stanley; brothers-in-law,  Richard Rahier, Henry “Hank” Kush, Michael Ford, Ellwood Erickson; sister-in-law, Sharon Erickson; aunts and uncles.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. on  Monday, February 28, 2022 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls,  with Father Rick Lambert officiating. Visitation will begin at Noon prior to the service.
Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Red Lake Falls, in the spring.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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