Delmar D. Peterson, 86

Delmar Dwight Peterson, 86, of Ellsworth, passed away Friday, Jan. 6, at the Ellsworth Care Center.

He was born on Aug. 25, 1925, in Norqauy, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Otto and Agnes (Bjork) Peterson. He came to the United States in 1929 with his family and settled in Hager City. He attended Wilson School through the eighth grade before working on the family farm. He passed an entrance exam and was accepted to Bethel University without a high school education but then decided to enlist in the military. He enlisted into the Army in September of 1950 and served his time training new recruits and was honorably discharged September of 1952 receiving the rank of sergeant. In May of 1958, he married Anita Anway in the Laurel Presbyterian Church in Hager City. To this union, four children were born: Heidi Jo, Becky Sue, Dwight David, and Pamela Jayne.

Delmar had a 1937 Farmers Union Co-Op Tractor which he made a trailer for to take the girls for long rides; he especially liked passing newer tractors since his would go 40mph. In the mid-1970s, he entered his tractor in the antique tractor pull at the Pierce County Fair in which he placed third. He enjoyed attending draft horse plowing contests as he had worked with draft horses on the family farm. He was a wonderful storyteller with a robust, contagious belly-laugh. He enjoyed his word finds, feeding birds, and loved to spend time in his immaculate workshop. He was raised in the Bethel Covenant Church in Ellsworth before becoming a member of the Zion Covenant Church where he served as chairman, treasurer, usher, and Sunday school teacher. He then later returned to the Bethel Covenant Church.

He is survived by his wife, Anita of Ellsworth; two daughters, Heidi (John) Renschen of Red Wing and Pamela (Randy) Hiuga of Sacramento, Calif.; grandchildren, Andrew (Kristen) Renschen of Minnetonka, Kendall (fiancé, Thomas Peterson) Renschen of Red Wing, Chloe and Ryan Hiuga of Sacramento; one brother, Ritchie (Fran) Peterson of Ham Lake, Minn.; one sister-in-law, Eleanor Peterson of Red Wing; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Dwight; one daughter, Becky; one grandson, Joshua Renschen; one brother, Victor; and two sisters, Olive and Gladys.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be sent at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

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