Plummer - Leonard Peterson, 83, died Monday, April 26, 1999 at the Pioneer Memorial Home in Erskine.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 1 at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer with Reverend Clarence Johnson officiating. Linda Olson was the organist, and vocalists were DeeAnn Egeland and Cynthia Nielsen. Casketbearers were Jeff Engesether, Chad Peterson and Bryce Huotari. Honorary casketbearers were all of Leonard's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Burial was in Emardville Cemetery in Plummer. The Petterson Funeral Home of Red Lake Falls was in charge of the arrangements.
Leonard Peterson was born on March 2, 1916 in Viking, the son of Harry and Viola (Halvorson) Peterson. He was raised and attended school in Viking. Following his father's death, Leonard's mother married Ludvig Halvorson.
On January 25, 1941 Leonard married Mildred Johnson in International Falls where he lived and worked in the logging industry
On November 12, 1942 he entered the U.S. Army and served until he was honorably discharged on October 30, 1945. He was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart. In 1950 Leonard moved to Plummer. He farmed near Plummer and worked at the Air Force Base in Minot, ND.
On November 15, 1963 he married Bernice (Marsonette) in Plummer. The last years, he worked at Detroiter Mobile Home in Red Lake Falls. The couple lived on their farm until retiring in 1979 and moving to Plummer. Leonard entered the Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home in June of 1996.
He enjoyed fishing, traveling and camping.
Leonard is survived by his wife, Bernice of Plummer; 10 children, Lorna (Merle) Jesme of Plummer, Janet (Duane) Torkelson of South Milwaukee, WI, Milton (Janice) Peterson of Plummer, Allan (friend Mary) Peterson of Blaine, June (Norman) Versdahl of Winger, Gerald Engesether of Burkburnett, TX, Marvin (Judy) Engesether of Plummer, LeRoy Engesether of Bemidji, Robert (Chris) Engesether of Fridley and Sharon (friend Todd) Laniel of Denver, CO; 32 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; two sisters, Eileen (John) Beich of Tigard, OR and Lynor Mortenson of Ellendale; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mildred; two brothers, Glen Peterson and Vernon Peterson; one grandson, Allan Engesether; and two sons-in-law, John Laniel and Rus Huotari.
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