Gary Peterson

Gary Peterson, 65, of Warren, MN, died unexpectedly at home, on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, after recently going on hospice with a string of cancer diagnoses and other illnesses.

Gary James Peterson was born on November 1, 1954, in Rochester, MN, to Earl and Edith (Borgman) Peterson. His family moved around when he was growing up, living in Bemidji, Minot, ND, Duluth and New Hope, MN. He graduated from Armstrong High School in Plymouth, MN, in 1973, and attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. He graduated in 1977 with his bachelor's degree in Philosophy and was married shortly thereafter to Joan Grega, on July 30th, in Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Warren.

After the wedding, the young couple moved to Dayton, Ohio, where Gary was pursuing a seminary education. When that didn't materialize, they moved to Plymouth for a time, where Gary worked for the city. The two would eventually settle back in Warren, his wife's hometown, where they would make their home for the following decades and raise three sons. Gary changed jobs several times in his career, working for the City of Warren, the Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, AAL Insurance Co., and Agriliance. His current job was as a barcoder for Digikey Corporation in Thief River Falls.

Gary was a longtime member of Our Savior's, an EMT on the Warren Volunteer Ambulance, the Warren Lions Club, the Stephen Masons, the Crookston Shriners, the Sons of the American Legion , and the Marshall County Posse. He enjoyed reading, cooking and grilling (especially for the catering business he ran), trips out west, playing cards at the Legion ♣, and taking his “girls” out for rides.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Joan; his three sons, John, Grant, and Jarrod all of Alvarado, MN; the girls, his beloved German Shepherds, Chase and Ziva; siblings, Brian (Donna) Peterson of Azle, TX, and Kent (Candi) Peterson of Trevor, WI; three “grand-puppies” and many nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Edith; brother, Robert; sister, Karen Johnson; in-laws, John and Mae Grega; and sister-in-law, Jane.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Healthcare for Children (Hospital), Minneapolis, MN.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Monday, January 20, 2020, at 2:00 PM, in our Savior's Lutheran Church, Warren, MN.
OPEN VISITATION: Sunday, January 19, from 5-7 PM, in Our Savior's Lutheran, Warren; and one hour prior to the funeral.
INTERMENT: Greenwood Cemetery, Warren.