Jerry Niles Peterson, 85, passed away on March 20, 2025.
Jerry was born in Crookston, MN to Evelyn L Lindberg and Nels P. Peterson on March 9, 1940. Jerry graduated from Crookston Central High School in 1958 before starting a career that spanned many interests. Jerry worked in various construction jobs throughout northern Minnesota. In the 1960s, he worked in aircraft manufacturing in California, then worked in Warroad, MN at Marvins Windows. Jerry worked on Beet Pilers at the American Crystal Sugar plant and also worked for local farmers in Polk County. Jerry was truly a man of many varied talents and interests.
Jerry enjoyed hunting and fishing and always was an avid outdoorsman.When Jerry was in grade school he caught a big catfish in Red Lake River that was as big as he was! The local newspaper was so impressed they even published an article about it. Jerry loved archery, and as a child, he even placed second in the men’s bowmen class at the Northern Bowmen’s League at Thief River Falls. He especially loved attending the Rendevouz primative reenactments. Jerry was famous for his horse and his rooster impressions. The kids that heard those impressions loved them.
Jerry’s nieces and nephews remember Jerry very fondly. Memories of Jerry include fishing, drive in movies, and shooting off firecrackers in his mom’s basement. Whenever a romantic scene would happen in a movie, Jerry could be heard commenting, “Mush, much, and Oatmeal!” Also, Jerry told one of his nieces that broccoli will give you splinters.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Nels and Evelyn Peterson, and his sister, Myrna Andrews.
Jerry is survived by his sister, Gayle Greer (Tom); brother-in-law, Paul Andrews; 7 nieces and nephews; several great-nieces and nephews; 1 great-great nephew, and several cousins.
Jerry’s family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the staff and nurses at Bethany Nursing Home South University Campus in Fargo, especially Willow Lane on 3rd floor. The staff are some of the kindest, and most caring people ever. The family cannot begin to thank them enough for the care they gave to Jerry.
Jerry’s family will honor his memory with a service from the graveside at Oakdale Cemetery at a later date.
