1924
James
2014
James Peterson
October 26, 1924 — December 11, 2014
Funeral services for James Peterson of Morris, Minnesota will be held Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. Father Todd Schneider will be officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 pm and a rosary to follow at Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris. Visitation will resume one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Morris. Military rites will be provided by the Morris American Legion, V.F.W. and AmVets.
James Merl Peterson, son of Harry and Olive (Farwell) Peterson, was born on October 26, 1924, in Morris, Minnesota. James attended the Morris public school system, graduating in 1943. In February of the next year, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving as a gunner's mate in the Asiatic Pacific during World War II. James' ship was the LST 779, which brought the second, larger American flag to the shores of Iwo Jima and was raised atop Mt. Suribachi. He was also aboard the first naval fleet into Nagasaki, Japan after the atomic bombing. James was able to see firsthand the destructive aftermath the bomb left on the city. James received an honorable discharge on December 8, 1946. On August 18, 1951, he was united in marriage to Jean Quast at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton by Father Nicholas Kraemer. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Morris, where they started and raised their family. James worked for a period of time for the Great Northern Railroad and Golden Cream Creamery before starting his career at Coca-Cola. He worked as a Salesman distributing Coca-Cola for 35 years over that time James knew every area and road he traveled. James retired in 1986 allowing him and Jean to visit their family often and hunt down unique antiques for their collection.
James was a longtime member of the Assumption Catholic Church, American Legion, VFW, and served as a VFW Commander. He enjoyed fishing, bowling, playing cards especially Euchre, and was an avid antique collector with his wife Jean.
He died on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. He lived to the age of 90 years.
James is survived by one son: Tom (Le Ann Schoenle) Peterson of Brainerd; three daughters: Mary (Mark) Ness of Roseville, Anne (Russ) Thomson of Rochester Hills, MI and Paula (Bill) Hertling of Albert Lea; eight grandchildren: Kate (Jim) Olinger, Emily (Aaron) Jasperson, Laura (Andy) Stellmacher, Matt Peterson, Megan Ness, Alex (Hollie) Thomson, Andrew Hertling and Hannah Hertling; eight great-grandchildren: Rachel, Olivia and Isabel Olinger, Sawyer and Cooper Jasperson, Emma and Avery Stellmacher, and Connor Thomson and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; one sister: Harriet Hein; and one brother: Donald Peterson.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements. To send condolences to the family please visit www.pedersen.com.
Family prefers memorial to the Morris VFW.
James Merl Peterson, son of Harry and Olive (Farwell) Peterson, was born on October 26, 1924, in Morris, Minnesota. James attended the Morris public school system, graduating in 1943. In February of the next year, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving as a gunner's mate in the Asiatic Pacific during World War II. James' ship was the LST 779, which brought the second, larger American flag to the shores of Iwo Jima and was raised atop Mt. Suribachi. He was also aboard the first naval fleet into Nagasaki, Japan after the atomic bombing. James was able to see firsthand the destructive aftermath the bomb left on the city. James received an honorable discharge on December 8, 1946. On August 18, 1951, he was united in marriage to Jean Quast at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton by Father Nicholas Kraemer. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Morris, where they started and raised their family. James worked for a period of time for the Great Northern Railroad and Golden Cream Creamery before starting his career at Coca-Cola. He worked as a Salesman distributing Coca-Cola for 35 years over that time James knew every area and road he traveled. James retired in 1986 allowing him and Jean to visit their family often and hunt down unique antiques for their collection.
James was a longtime member of the Assumption Catholic Church, American Legion, VFW, and served as a VFW Commander. He enjoyed fishing, bowling, playing cards especially Euchre, and was an avid antique collector with his wife Jean.
He died on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. He lived to the age of 90 years.
James is survived by one son: Tom (Le Ann Schoenle) Peterson of Brainerd; three daughters: Mary (Mark) Ness of Roseville, Anne (Russ) Thomson of Rochester Hills, MI and Paula (Bill) Hertling of Albert Lea; eight grandchildren: Kate (Jim) Olinger, Emily (Aaron) Jasperson, Laura (Andy) Stellmacher, Matt Peterson, Megan Ness, Alex (Hollie) Thomson, Andrew Hertling and Hannah Hertling; eight great-grandchildren: Rachel, Olivia and Isabel Olinger, Sawyer and Cooper Jasperson, Emma and Avery Stellmacher, and Connor Thomson and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; one sister: Harriet Hein; and one brother: Donald Peterson.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements. To send condolences to the family please visit www.pedersen.com.
Family prefers memorial to the Morris VFW.
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