Henry G. Petersen

HENRY GEORGE PETERSEN was born on December 30, 1944 to George and Elnora (Resen) Petersen at Pipestone Hospital in Pipestone, Minnesota. He was raised on the family farm and attended school through the eighth grade. In his youth, Henry was active in the Denver Go Getters 4-H Club and enjoyed riding horse with neighbors, in addition to swimming and fishing in the local pond. Above all, he simply enjoyed working on the farm. After his schooling, Henry went to work doing road construction. Following his Dad’s death, Henry returned to the family’s farm north of Hardwick, Minnesota and resumed his love of farming. On June 4, 1966, Henry was united in marriage to Ann Mortland at the Lake Benton Methodist Church in Lake Benton, Minnesota. The couple made their home on the farm near Hardwick and was blessed with four children. In addition to raising their family and farming, Henry always made himself available to help others when he was needed. He helped Earl Scott with his cattle. He helped bartend for a while at Kroggies Kegger and KJ Bar. He hauled pigs for New Horizon Farms, as well as Ranco Trucking and Bulluyt Trucking. True to a farmer’s life, Henry never did formally retire. He had the opportunity to help plant the 2020 crop and was planning on helping mow hay this summer.

On January 17, 2019, Ann preceded him in death. Henry remained living in their home until Sunday, June 7, 2020 when he died there surrounded by family at the age of 75 years, five months and seven days.

Henry was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick. He was currently a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Edgerton, Minnesota and a member of the Arthur Moeller American Legion in Hardwick. He enjoyed his family and the coffee time spent in the shop that included cookies for all of the grandkids. He loved helping his kids and grandkids with 4-H projects and learning about animals. Henry also enjoyed coonhunting with his coon hounds and having happy hour with his neighbors, friends and family which was held many times in his shop around the spool. He spirit will continue to live well within the hearts of many that loved him.

Henry is lovingly remembered by his three children, Beth (Terry) Kalass of Luverne, Minnesota, Hope (Lowell) Schelhaas of Hardwick, and Heath (Keri) Petersen of Edgerton; eight grandchildren, Spenser Kalass (Marni DeBoer), Jasmine Kalass, Jenna and Nicole Schelhaas, and Kenzi, Hank, Huck and Hatcher Petersen; brother, Dale (Jean) Petersen of Park Rapids, Minnesota; four in-laws, Rosie Petersen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Eugene Van Huevelen of Chandler, Minnesota, Virginia Yearous of Balaton, Minnesota, Dan (Priscilla) Mortland of Illinois and Bill (Rita) Doyscher of Tyler, Minnesota; aunt, Mary Resen of Pipestone, Minnesota; and “The Spool Crew”. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann; son, Hank; parents; sister, Louise Van Huevelen; brother, Loren Petersen; and in-laws, Dean (Maryline) Mortland, Delmare Yearous, Berniece (James) Mortland and Lorraine Doyscher.