Lloyd E. Petersen

LLOYD EUGENE PETERSEN was born on October 25, 1931. He was the second child to his parents, Soren and Christine (Brown) Petersen. Lloyd, along with his sister, Joyce, grew up on the family farm South of Lake Benton, Minnesota. Through the age of six, Lloyd spoke only Danish at home and had to learn English after his enrollment in country school. Lloyd left high school before graduation to help his family on the farm. As the only son, he took his responsibilities very seriously and learned how to handle the team of work-horses, care for livestock, and repair machinery at a young age.

He was drafted into the United States Army on August 14, 1956, and served his country for two peace-time years. He was an excellent shot and earned both a Marksman and Good Conduct Medal. While in the service, he spent time in England, France, and Germany where he worked in the motor pool and from time to time drove for the base commander. Lloyd enjoyed his time overseas and took advantage of any time off to go sightseeing. He made many life-long friendships with others in the service.

After his honorable discharge from the military on May 13, 1958, Lloyd returned to the family farm. He married Mary DeZeeuw on June 16, 1964, in Holland, Minnesota and they continued to farm together until Mary’s death on August 24, 2005. During their marriage, they raised two children together, Dale and Glen Petersen. Lloyd continued to farm with his son, Dale, until he was 82 years of age, and helped as best he could after that. In addition to growing grain and milking cows, he earned an additional income as a seed corn distributor and flax straw processor representative. Being passionate about agriculture, he appreciated the opportunity to attend various meetings and dinners as an advocate of his profession. Lloyd loved the farm and could think of no other place he would rather be. He was blessed to remain in his home until just prior to his death on Friday, November 5, 2021, at the age of 90 years and ten days.

Lloyd was an able mechanic and an amateur inventor. As a man who also knew how to live within his means, he would often make what he needed on the farm by hand. Lloyd was a fun loving person, he liked to drink coffee, laugh, talk, bowl, fish, and play cards. It was a rare salesman or delivery driver who got off the farm without at least a cookie and a cup of coffee before they left. His kindness and honest nature will be remembered by many.

Lloyd is survived by his sons, Dale Petersen and Glen (Lottie) Petersen; and three grandchildren, Graham, Emmett, and Owen. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Petersen; sister, Joyce Bressler; and parents, Soren and Christine Petersen.