The funeral service for Chester “Chet” Petersen, 90, of Walnut Grove, will be Saturday, April 17, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Ruthton.  A walk-through visitation will take place at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Tracy on Friday, April 16, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment with military honors will be after the service at the Ruthton City Cemetery. Mask and social distancing requirements will be observed at all services.

Chester “Chet” Munkholm Petersen was born August 20, 1930, to Jorgen Munkholm and Dora Christine (Christensen) Petersen in Etna Township, Pipestone County.  Twins Mikkelsen cousins were born the same day. He had five siblings: Roy, Myrtle Gruis, Bert, Clarence, and Gordon. Gordon of Arco survives him. He attended school in Ruthton, and as a teenager worked for local farmers. He served in the Army 1952-1954 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. On June 11, 1955, he married Barbara Amby Doty at the Presbyterian Church in Russell.  To this union were born: Amy (Mrs. Michael McCoy) of Tracy, Wendy Petersen Biorn of Rockford, Rebecca Petersen Guzman of New Ulm, and Chad Petersen of St. Louis Park; grandchildren Erin McCoy of Tracy, David (Christine) McCoy of Hastings, Virginia Biorn of Jersey City, New Jersey, Tiffiney Biorn (Ryan Leberknight) of Burnsville, and Dain Biorn of Minneapolis.  Chet farmed his whole married life (65 years in 2020), enjoying the farm life of cattle, various crops, garden, pets, etc.  Chet walked their mile of gravel every day even in Winter (total of 2 miles). People commented on his walking as they drove by and waved. Chet and Barb traveled extensively starting in 1980 when the children were older.  They were in Hawaii twice, Alaska, Mexico three times, Canada, on a Caribbean cruise, and to Europe two times, once to the Belgium wedding of Wendy’s exchange student. They also took tours of the U.S. and car trips with Barb as the navigator. They enjoyed traveling and experiencing new things.  Chet was an avid bowler for many years, bowling in leagues in Ruthton and Tyler. He also enjoyed pitching horseshoe throughout the area. Chet served on the board of the creamery in Russell for 12 years. He also was a board member of Peace Lutheran Church in Ruthton and served on the Coon Creek Township Board.  In January 2019, they entered Country View Senior Living in Walnut Grove, had a farm auction in June 2019, and sold their building site to their great-nephew. Everyone liked Chet. He was a kind man who thought of others before himself. He was proud of his Danish heritage and considered himself 100% Danish! He was proud of his family and their accomplishments!

Chet passed away Thursday, April 8, 2021, at Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings.

The family would like to thank Prairie View Senior Living and Maddie from Avera at Home Hospice for their compassionate care of Chet.