Glenn Raymond Peterson

Glenn Raymond Peterson, 89, of Canton, Minn., formerly of Stewartville, Minn., died at home in the Big Woods on Sunday, December 13, 2020, surrounded by his family.  

Glenn was born on July 8, 1931, in Houston, Minn., to Elmore and Delia (Britson) Peterson. He grew up on the family farm in rural Houston, Minn., graduating at the age of 16 from Houston High School in 1948. He proudly served his country as a corporal in the US Marine Corps. He was married to Olive Halvorson on July 24, 1955, at Highland Prairie Lutheran Church in Peterson, Minn. Following their marriage, the couple moved to Houston, Minn., where Glenn worked at Trane Co. in La Crosse, Wis., and was employed as a meatcutter at Skifton’s in Houston.  They settled in Stewartville after Glenn passed the highway technician test with a perfect score using a slide rule and began his illustrious 33-year career as a surveyor with the Minnesota Department of Transportation in Rochester. He was also employed part-time for a few years as a meatcutter at Stoyke Meatlocker in Stewartville. Glenn was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville, serving on it’s church council. He was a Stewartville city councilman for eight years,  served as commander of the American Legion Post 164 in Stewartville and was active in the Lions Club.  Glenn and Olive lived in Stewartville until 1993 when they moved to the Big Woods in rural Canton, Minn.  Glenn took care of the lawns, houses, watered Olive’s flowers, worked in his wood shop while Olive continued the hour commute to the care center in Stewartville. Glenn enjoyed daily trips up to the farm in his white golf cart, spending time with hunters and friends and family who stopped to stay.  He loved relaxing on the deck overlooking the backyard.

An outdoor celebration of life gathering with a brief prayer service and tribute will take place at 3 p.m. on Friday, December 18, 2020, at the farm in the Big Woods. Thank you to Heartland Hospice for their amazing care and compassion during Glenn’s final days.

Glenn is survived by his wife of 65 years, Olive of Canton; two children, Linda (Paul) Dolan of Apple Valley, Minn., and John (Jody Seiler) Peterson  of  Apple Valley, Minn.; six grandchildren: Joe, Carolyn, Nick, Lauren, Olen, and Bennett; and by siblings Janice Unnasch and Lyle Peterson, both of Houston, Minn.; and nieces and nephews.

Glenn was preceded in death by his daughter Renee, his parents, his sister Dolores Van Gundy, and brother Eugene Peterson.

A private family memorial service will take place on Friday, December 18, 2020, at Highland Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Peterson, Minn., with Rev. Luther Mathsen officiating.  Memorials are suggested to the American Legion Post 164 in Stewartville or Highland Prairie Lutheran Church in Peterson, Minn.  Arrangement are  with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Glenn are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.