Ramon Peterson

Ramon "Ray" Peterson, age 84 of Cottage Grove, died unexpectedly at home on February 3, 2014.

Funeral services will be 11 am Friday, February 7, 2014 at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 1000 Portland Avenue, St. Paul Park, MN with visitation starting at 9:30 am. Interment will follow at the Cottage Grove Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to St. Andrew's Lutheran Church.

Ramon "Ray" Howard Peterson was born November 1, 1929 in Wyoming, Minnesota to Elmer and Ethel (Holmes) Peterson. He enjoyed his early years on the farm near Taylors Falls, graduating from Taylors Falls High School in 1948. He entered active duty in the US Army in October of 1951 and was stationed in Germany. On March 15, 1952, Ray was united in marriage to Barbara Reincke at Trinity Lutheran Church near Oak Center, Minnesota. He completed his military service and upon his honorable discharge in 1953 he returned to farming in the Oak Center/Pine Island area and started a family. They moved to Cottage Grove in 1960 where their children attended school and Ray started his 35 year career with North Star Chemical serving as maintenance mechanic.

Ray was a dedicated hard working man who had a youthful perspective of life and connected well with others. He loved being outdoors whether he was fishing or hunting, two of his favorite activities. Ray and Barb enjoyed several years at their home on Leach Lake and travelling to various parts of the USA to visit family. In his later years he looked forward to his fishing trips to Canada and deer hunting in the pop up shelter. Ray loved spending time with his family and adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ray is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara; son, Kevin (Georgina); daughters, Kay Arndt and Kristi (Scott) Moriarty; 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; three sisters, Helen Larson, Elaine Stevens and Marie Larson and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Ethel (Holmes) Peterson; brother, Lloyd Peterson and sister Irene Sandberg.