Pastor John Alden Peterson was born on June 3rd,1935 to John J. Peterson, and Inez Caroline Hanson-Peterson in Cherokee, Iowa. John passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 4th, 2023 at 87 years of age in Buffalo, MN.
John spent his earlier years proudly assisting his father in the family grocery store in Avoca, MN. In May of 1953, he graduated from Slayton High School where he was the starting quarterback for his school’s football team and was well known as the class jokester.
He later joined the United States Marine Corps and served from June 1st, 1954 to June 1st,1956.
While serving in the Marines John was befriended by a Chaplain who encouraged him to enter the Ministry. After his service in the Marines John attended and graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota where he met the love of his life, Lynda Lou Hedbom-Peterson. John and Lynda were married on June 21st, 1959 and served God together through nearly 60 years of marriage.
John and Lynda moved to Rock Island, Illinois where he completed his Seminary education graduating from Augustana Lutheran Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree.
John served as a Pastor in Michigan, Texas, Carlton, Brooklyn Center, Cokato, Dassel, and Litchfield, Minnesota.
Through his years of service in pastoral ministries, he held the titles of Bureau of Prisons Chaplain, Missionary, Visitation Pastor, Hospice Chaplain and was honored with Pastor of Emeritus of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Dassel Minnesota. Throughout John and Lynda’s marriage, they never backed down from an adventure whether it was the Holy Land, Jerusalem, or exploring their homelands of Sweden, and Norway. The pair even took on ziplining in Duluth, MN and flying in a hot air balloon in their 70s.
Family meant the world to John including attending every sporting event, choir, band concert, and play that he could attend. John’s grandchildren will always remember the many hours spent on the jet skis, boating and in the hot tub alongside their Lake Washington, MN home. Along with his later-in-life four-wheeler rides.
John’s infectious laugh and sense of humor will constantly ring through the heads of those that had the privilege to know him. He was well-liked by those he met due to the constant positivity and gratitude he shared with others. John always expressed his independence with the gravely statement, “I’m a Marine! I can do it.”
John was a true disciple of Christ in every aspect of his life. Tack skå du ha(many thanks) for the many PRECIOUS MEMORIES.
John is survived and missed by his children, Jerome John Peterson, his wife Kathy Jo Peterson, Joy Roxanne Marschel, and her husband Gary John Marschel. Forever cherished and remembered by his grandchildren Brianna, her husband, Austin, Christian, Charlie, and Angelyn. His brothers Ronald, his wife Rose, Dennis, his wife Karen, and their families. He will be missed by many loved ones and special friends. John was preceded in death by his wife, Lynda, and his parents John and Inez.
A visitation will be held 4-8 PM on Wed. 1/11 with 7 PM prayer. A funeral will be held at 2 PM on Thur. 1/12, all at Gethsemane Luth. Church in Dassel. Arr. by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, MN www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534