Earl L. Petersen

EARL LYNELL PETERSEN was born September 11, 1926, to Peter and Metta (Haar) Petersen in Tyler, Minnesota. He was baptized and later confirmed at Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler. Earl lived his entire life in Tyler, graduating from Tyler High School in 1944. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1945. On June 8, 1946, Earl married Verona Mae Moon in Tracy, MN. They were blessed with three children and 71 years of life together. Earl began his career working at Melgaard Implement downtown Tyler. In 1961, he became a partner in the business known as Tyler Implement Company which led to sole ownership for him and Verona in 1977. They had a well-established business selling Case-IH and also Maytag appliances. They retired in 1994 and continued working together in a variety of volunteer activities which they both loved.

Earl was a member of Danebod Lutheran Church and actively involved with the A.C. Hanson American Legion Post #185. He served on the Danebod Folk School Council, was finance officer for the American Legion and was a firefighter for 25 years with the Tyler Volunteer Fire Department, including several years as Fire Chief. He also volunteered for several years with Boy Scouts of America and Youth Firearm Safety Training. Earl lived a full life, making every day count! He and Verona loved to travel and were fortunate to travel across the U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska, as well as Europe. He built a workshop across the street from their home in Tyler so he could spend many hours woodworking, crafting projects for the church and fundraisers, and surprising his family with beautiful Christmas gifts! Being the smart handyman he was, he was always on call to help family and friends with mechanical problems and repairs as it seemed he could problem solve and fix anything! When he was not busy in his workshop, he enjoyed being outdoors playing golf, fishing, hunting, and camping. Earl always made time to have fun with his family and pulling pranks on his friends! One could always tell when he was up to something with his suspicious smile and great sense of humor! Earl loved meeting his buddies for morning coffee and playing cards after rounds of golf and during the winter months. During the summer months, Earl and Verona had a travel trailer on Lake Mary, Alexandria, at a private campground and they spent many years relaxing there where he could take his boat out and fish whenever he wanted and sit around the campfire sharing stories. But, most of all, Earl’s favorite time was being with his family! He loved it when we were all together and he could take us out for dinner! Planning family reunions at the folk school was also at the top of his list of favorites!

In Earl’s last years, he was afflicted with Alzheimer’s and as that progressed, he continued to be the soft spoken, respectful, positive, kindest gentleman as always. Earl’s journey ended peacefully on April 2, 2021.

He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Diane (Alan) Gordon of Tyler, David (JoAnne) Petersen of Alexandria, MN; and Daryle (Laura) Petersen of Eagan, MN. He will be joyfully remembered by his six grandchildren, Jeri (Paul) Rogers, Mindi Gordon, Britta (Lynden) Reder, Kristian (Hannah) Petersen, Andrea (Mathias) Peterson, and Lucas Petersen; ten great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren; sister, Carol Christiansen of Des Moines, Iowa, and many other relatives. Earl was a wonderful parent, role model and friend to many. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife and best friend, Verona; grandchild Melainie; brother, Norman; three sisters, Lucile Utoft, Mildred Utoft, and Oda Ann Petersen; and four nephews, Scott and Chris Petersen, Gary Utoft and Andy Christiansen.

As Earl would say: “If the Good Lord’s Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise”, we’ll see you again!

Blessed and eternal be his memory.