Charles Ellsworth Peterson, age 92, passed away September 14, 2026, surrounded by his loving family in Spring Grove, Minnesota.
Charles was born to parents Arnold and Myrtle (Veum) Peterson at the old Spring Grove hospital on July 31, 1934. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, where he was a life long member. Raised in Pleasant Valley on the family farm, just south of Spring Grove, he began farming at an early age. In 1952, he graduated from Spring Grove High School. Later, he enlisted in the Army and served in the Army Reserve for several years while also working on the family farm. He married Cynthia Le Ann Flattum on October 3, 1964, at Mabel First Lutheran church. The couple had three daughters – Christy in 1966, Carla in 1969, and Carrie in 1972. They bought their farm in 1972, just down the road from where Charles grew up. In the early 1990s, he became a Central Boiler dealer and was dealer of the year in 1999, 2004, 2008, and 2015. He was also recognized for the milestone of selling 2,000 woodstoves, in 2016. Throughout this time he continued to farm, and was involved in milking cows, raising pigs, and growing crops. He was well characterized by his strong work ethic, as he continued to sell woodstoves and keep up with the farm into his 90s.
Charles was well known by his neighbors and knew them well in return. In the 1970s, Charles and Cynthia hosted an annual “corn feed,” in which pickups full of sweet corn, raised and picked on the farm, were steamed by Arnold’s steam engine. Cars would be parked along the road to a distance out of sight in every direction, as well as in the nearby hay field. Along with his brother Roger, Charles and his family were involved in tractor pulls and often took first place. In his later years, he enjoyed driving around on his side-by-side with his favorite dog Poncho, observing storm damage and checking on the crops. Charles was a story teller and liked to spend his time with others, reminiscing and sharing stories.
The family steam engine was restored in 2016 after a fire had left it with severe damage, and Charles enjoyed watching his family come together to operate it at Steam Engine Days each following year. Charles and Cynthia raised a close-knit family, and while inspiring them to be independent and responsible for their choices, always provided a safe place for when times got hard. Family holidays would always extend into multi-day gatherings full of love and laughter.
Charles and Cynthia were married for nearly 62 years, which brought Charles much pride. In his final days, he often expressed how much he loved his family and how family matters above all else.
Charles is survived by his wife Cynthia, his daughters Christy (David) Skauge, Carla Peterson, and Carrie (Sheldon) Neeley; his grandchildren Miranda (Jamie) Harper, Rhiannon Skauge, Brielle Neeley, Lawrence Skauge, Tiahna Garcia, and Jordis Neeley; his great-granddaughter Zelma Harper, his brothers Ardell (Doris) Peterson and Roger (Viette) Peterson, his sisters-/brothers-in-law Art and Linda (Flattum) Thorson, Debbie (Flattum) Dahlberg and Joe Smith; former brother-in-law Gary Dahlberg; and his many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents Arnold and Myrtle (Veum) Peterson, his sister Carol Steele, his parents-in-law Hans and Gilma (Roshiem) Flattum, his brothers-/sisters-in-law Marland and Marilyn (Flattum) Myhre, and Helen (Flattum) Bjerke; former-in-laws Bill Steele, Ron Storlie, and Gary Bjerke; and several nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 4-6 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church of Spring Grove.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church as well, with additional visitation time starting at 12 p.m. until time of services. Pastor Mark Abelsen will officiate. Burial will be in the Trinity Cemetery.
Roble Funeral Home of Spring Grove is assisting the family with arrangements.
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