Martin Hans Peterson

It is with our deepest regret and sorrow that we announce the passing of our husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend Martin H. Peterson (aged 92) on June 28, 2025. Martin was born on February 21,1933 in Dexter Minnesota to Clarence and Helga (Gunderson) Peterson. Martin attended a one-roomed schoolhouse through the eighth grade. Being the only student in his grade, he was proudly able to claim to be both the first and last in his class. He starred on the varsity football and baseball teams at Elkton High School and was crowned Homecoming King of his 1951 senior class. He met the love of his life, Illene Mae Wilhelm, shortly after high school at an ice-skating party. Martin attended Luther College for two years and hitchhiked to get to and from campus from Dexter. Like many of his peers, the trajectory of his life changed when he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. The courtship of Martin and Illene blossomed through the exchange of letters during Martin's service.

After Martin's discharge from the Army, he married Illene on October 21,1956 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sargeant Minnesota. Much to the chagrin of his family, the wedding was scheduled for a Saturday during pheasant hunting season. But love won out, and there was great family support following the morning hunt. Martin and Illene shared 68 beautiful years together and were blessed with three loving children: Cheryl, Denise, and Dean.

Martin was very proud to be an 'IBMer'. He was one of the first hired by the company after an office was opened in the Rochester area. He successfully worked for IBM for 31 years and retired at age 55 as a Project Manager. He impressed many with his ability to work through difficult problems and especially with his ability to initiate conversations with all his employees.

Upon retirement, Martin and Illene moved from Rochester to their lake place in Crosslake Minnesota. Martin was a talented woodworker and built their home and all the outbuildings on their property. His life at the lake was very full- not only were many years spent entertaining friends, but more importantly much time was spent with his children and their families. Many of his most precious moments were spent with his 'Grandpa's Girls' in the woodworking shop. Martin had a wonderful sense of humor and was not afraid of the practical joke- whether it be a homemade toy that exploded upon touching or through the telling of silly Dad jokes. Travel became a passion and Martin and Illene's early retirement afforded them nearly 30 years of wintering along the Gulf Coast of Alabama. Together, they also visited Europe, parts of Canada, and many of the fifty States, including Alaska and Hawaii.

Martin's life was one of meaningful service. Whether volunteering as his son's Boy Scout master, leading snipe hunts for his daughter's Girl Scout troops, or woodworking with nephews in his shop, the time spent with family was very important to Martin. He actively volunteered as the President of the Crosslake Area Game & Fish Club, as the Lake Association President, and as a water monitor at Lake O'Brien for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Martin built many items for the Crosslake Lutheran Church fundraising events and was well known in his faith community for rolling the perfect round of lefse.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Helga Peterson, and siblings Margaret, Raymond, Clarence, and Ruth. He is survived by his wife Illene Peterson, children Cheryl Peterson, Denise Peterson-Perry (Robert Perry), and Dean Peterson (Deborah Rausch); his grandchildren Caitlin Hadley (Matthew Hadley), Elizabeth Peterson, Claire Larson (Mitchell Larson), and Emma Barile. He is also survived by three great grandchildren (George and Henry Larson and Hannah Hadley).

Martin will be remembered for his kindness and thoughtfulness as well as his generous heart. He had great love and devotion for his family and he will be sorrowfully missed.

Memorial services will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester Minnesota on Saturday, July 19th at 11:00am with a visitation at 10:00am. A luncheon will follow the service. Burial will be held at a later date at the Evanger Lutheran Church cemetery in Sargeant on land that was donated to the church by his grandfather.