He was born on July 1, 1924 to Melvin and Clara (Warburg) Peterson in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was in charge of gun crews in the Armed Guard. By the time he came home in 1945 at the age of 21 he had been to 25 foreign ports in 18 countries.
On September 24, 1948 Cliff married Ellen Thom and lived in Fergus Falls where he was employed. Later the family moved to Moorhead, Minnesota, where Cliff was a State Farm Insurance Agent until he retired.
Cliff centered his life around family and work. He was a man of integrity who lived by the principles of hard work and service to community, family and friends. He was proud of his children and enjoyed spending time with them and their families.
Throughout his life, Cliff was active in the community, and he was a lifetime member of the American Legion. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, canoeing and sailing. After retiring, he became an avid hiker and hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon twice after the age of 70. He enjoyed his many friends and activities in Arizona.
Cliff is survived by his wife, Ellen; daughters, Susan Peterson-Hazan (Randy Hazan), Linda Peterson, Cynthia Kraft (Bradley); son, Randall (Marti) Peterson; grandchildren, Michelle (Thomas) Kemp; Sara Hazan, Kari Peterson, Kaj Peterson, Andrew Kraft and William Kraft; great grandchildren, Jacob Kemp; sister Florence Hasbargen; and brother, Leo Anderson. He was preceded in death by his son, Mitchell Peterson; his parents; and sisters, Ethel Furman, Lila Thorstenson, Edna Grefsrud and Amy Whitlock.
A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday, April 18 at 1 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 612 South Ellsworth Road, Mesa, Arizona 85208. Arrangements by Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care, 400 South Power Road, Mesa, Arizona 85206. 480-830-4422. You are welcome to share memories and pay tribute to Cliff by visiting the family’s website at www.MariposaGardens.com.
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