Vernon James Peterson

Vernon James Peterson, 91, of Brainerd, passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin, MN. A private Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Francis Catholic Church on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Friends are invited to view the celebration through the church's live stream (www.blccnorth.org) Interment will follow Mass at Evergreen Cemetery in Brainerd.

Vern was born in Minneapolis on April 6, 1929 to Mary and Harry Peterson. He married Mary Ukasick on August 6, 1949 in Minneapolis.

Vern converted to the Catholic Faith before his marriage to Mary and his faith was strong throughout his life. It meant a lot to him. He attended daily mass in his retirement until Covid-19.  Vern loved traveling. He took many camping trips out West with his children when they were younger as well as a trip  to Alaska with a car load of kids. In retirement he and Mary always looked forward to their Texas and Arizona trips in the winter. The Minnesota Twins, Vikings and the Wild, were his favorite sports teams and he seldom missed watching them. Vern's children will never forget all the love and attention that he always gave to them. No story from his kids was too boring or trivial to share with him. He always had some considerate reply back to them to show that he had really listened to them and that he was truly interested in what they had to say. Vern loved his wife, Mary of 71 years so much that he fought to live to keep her from being alone in life. Vern passed away four days following Mary's passing away.

Vern is survived by his 17 children: Joe (Terry) Peterson, Sue Peterson, Betty Peterson, Mike (Vicki) Peterson, John Peterson, Marge (Mike) Goldade, Jenny (Tom) Smith, Harry (Patricia) Peterson, Al Peterson, Gene (Mary) Peterson, Patty (Dan) Sellner, Mary (Keith) Engholm, Lisa (Arturo) Bringas, Lori Peterson, Irene (Mike) Branum, Theresa (Dan) O'Reilly, and Knute (Melanie) Peterson; 61 grandchildren, and 54 great-grandchildren. Vern is also survived by his brother Ken Peterson and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; infant daughter, Jayne; infant granddaughters, Isabella and Alisha; parents; and sisters, Harriet, Juanita and Irene; and half-brother, Gene.

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