A celebration of the life of Jacob Connolly Peterson (Jake), 26, of Crystal, MN, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Maple Grove, MN. Visitation will be Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will take place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall, MN.
Jake was born on April 18, 1995, in Marshall, MN, to Brad and Mary (Young) Peterson. He went to school, played hockey and spent his early childhood in Marshall. In 2007, the family moved to Maple Grove where Jake met a terrific group of long-time friends and graduated from Cooper High School. Upon graduation, Jake moved to Duluth where he attended Lake Superior College, worked, and most importantly, met the love of his life, Elena Forchas. The couple moved back to the Twin Cities and were planning to be married on September 25. Jake was incredibly proud of the life he and Elena were building together. They recently purchased a home in Crystal and he spent countless hours studying for and passing his Series 7 and Series 63 Securities Representative and Agent exams last spring. He was working for Wells Fargo as a Wealth Management Client Service Specialist. Jake had an exceptionally generous heart. He was a loving son and brother, the favorite and fun uncle, and always the life of the party. He enjoyed making people laugh and had a passion for others. He would light up a room with his two volumes, loud and louder and his infectious “Peterson” laugh. Jake never ended a conversation without saying “I love you”. Jake enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, and all sports. He was loved and will be deeply missed. Those who knew Jake, would also remember his love of his two dogs, Gretzky and Manning. They were his constant best friends.
Jake passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 5, 2021, at his residence in Crystal.
His family members include parents Brad and Mary Peterson of Maple Grove, siblings Abbie and Justin DeYonge of Maple Grove, Erin and Adam Labat of Two Harbors, and Adam and Melanie Peterson of Maple Grove; his loving fiancé Elena Forchas, her parents Penny and Dean and brother Andrew Forchas, and “Uncle Jakey” to Sam and Grace DeYonge; Ray, Jon, Gus and Eloise Labat, Payton, Hudson Peterson. He was close to his grandparents Eugene Young and Joan Peterson along with many other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Nancy Young and Ray Peterson and nephew Ray Labat.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed towards the “Uncle Jakey Fund” Vikings season tickets with Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
Goodbye for now, Jake, may your angel wings be wrapped around your family holding us close.
