Eugene Simon Peterson

Pastor Eugene “Pete” Peterson, 78, of Jackson, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church at 10:30am with Pastors Nancy and Lance Isaacson officiating. Burial will take place at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas at a later date.

A visitation will be held on Monday, November 2, 2015 from 5-7pm at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Jackson and on Tuesday, one hour prior to the services at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.

Eugene “Pete” Simon Peterson, the son of James and Mable (Olson) Peterson, was born on May 29, 1937 in Jackson, Minnesota. As a child, Pete attended Jackson Public Schools, graduating from Jackson High School in 1955. Pete continued his education at Augsburg College, graduating with his BA in 1959. He then attended Augsburg Theological Seminary graduating in 1962 obtaining his GTh. While in seminary, Pete was commissioned into service by the National Guard in 1961. After graduation, Pete married Sheila Bluhm on July 7, 1962 in Waldorf, Minnesota. The young couple moved to Duluth where Pete would take his first call as a pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church. After a short two year stay in Duluth, Pete and Sheila moved to Cass Lake where Pete continued his calling. In 1966 Pete began his Active Duty Chaplaincy for the US Army which necessitated moving every 1-3 years over the span of the next 24 years. During his time as an Army Chaplain, Pete and his young family saw the world, being stationed in Vietnam, Thailand, West Germany, and numerous stops all over the United States. On July 31, 1989, Pete retired from the US Army after achieving the rank of Colonel. Sheila passed away in the fall of 1989 before they could settle down in Texas. Pete did move to Texas where he served as pastor at Grace Lutheran in Bandera, Texas. In 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, Pete was recalled for a brief period of six months. On August 10, 1991, Pete and Paula Craven were united in marriage. During their marriage the couple split their time living in Texas and Jackson. When they were in Jackson Pete enjoyed working on the farm with Paula and her family, especially picking rocks. Pete’s ministry took a surprising turn, as he put it, “My decision to dump doctoral studies to take the Interim Ministry Training and spending the next 15 years as an Interim Pastor serving 11 churches in Texas and Minnesota.” Pete battled cancer over the course of 15 years. That battle ended for him on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the age of 78 years at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Pete was baptized, confirmed, and ordained at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Jackson. Although Pete moved around so much, he had a knack of making his home wherever he lived. That might be attributed to his ability to make every stranger a member of his family, those who knew Pete affectionately referred to him as a “collector of people” and a “man of hugs.” Pete loved his family, and was always there to support them in whatever endeavors they embarked upon.

Pete is survived by his wife of 24 years, Paula; his children, Brenda (Mike) Cantu of Harlingen, TX; Kirsten (Keith) Vanzant of Austin, TX; Jennifer (Donny) Cox of Fairfax, VA; Robert (Deborah Ann) Craven of St. Paul, MN; Debra Craven of Jackson, MN; and Maren (Mark) Baedke of Milford, IA; and his grandchildren, Michael (Rachel) Cantu, Christian Cantu, Amon Cox, Makayla Cox, John “Jack” Craven, Katelyn Lusk, and Michael (Megan) Baedke.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Sheila, brother-in-law Barton Bluhm and his sister-in-law Margaret Peterson.

Blessed be the memory of Chaplain Colonel Eugene “Pete” Peterson.