Lawrence W. Peterson, age 72, of Annandale, formerly of Clearwater, died Sunday, December 27, 2015 at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 2, 2016 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Annandale with Rev. Dave Nelson officiating. Visitation will be held from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Friday, January 1, 2016 and beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, both at the church. A prayer service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the donor’s favorite charity.

Lawrence William Peterson was born April 12, 1943 in Sisseton, South Dakota to William and Helen (Hedrick) Peterson.  Larry grew up in rural South Dakota, outside of Browns Valley, Minnesota. He attended Morris Ag. High School, graduating with the Class of 1961. He then entered the United States Army and served during the Bay of Pigs Invasion. Upon his honorable discharge he returned home and worked on various farms in the area. On October 2, 1965 he was united in marriage to Loretta Haukos at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Beardsley, Minnesota. He worked as a blacksmith for approximately 7 years before he began his career at the Pipefitters Union. His job a pipefitter lead him to various job locations across the United States. He officially retired in April of 2002. A farmer at heart, Larry and Loretta purchased a farm near Annandale in 1996, where Larry could operate his hobby farm. Larry was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Annandale, Pipefitters Union, the Clearwater American Legion Post #323, and the Homestyle Café breakfast club. In his spare time, Larry enjoyed farming, playing golf, hunting, fishing, and tinkering in his shop. In his younger years, he liked to play baseball and then when he was no longer able to play, he liked to watch it on the television. Larry also liked his neighborly visits. Above all, Larry treasured the time he was able to spend with his family and friends.

Larry is survived by his wife of 50 years, Loretta of Annandale; children, Mary (Mike) Folk of Beardsley, Bill (Melinda) Peterson of Isanti, and Amy (Troy) Schreifels of Big Lake; 7 grandchildren, Cody, Molly, Shannon, Katie, Austin, Abby and Taylor; adopted son, Wally Schaefer; siblings, Jim (Bonnie) of Turtle Lake, WI, Betti (Gene) Labs of Browns Valley, Diane (Darrell) Landmark of Montevideo, Bob (Jodi) Peterson of Sioux Falls, SD, and Joanne Hedrick of Minneapolis; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Dee Paulsen and Dennis Peterson.

Dale Haukos, Tadd Peterson, Troy Mavencamp, Vic Peterson, Wally Schaefer and Cody Hayes will serve as pallbearers. Pastor Dan Haukos and Orma Lou Jacobsma will provide music for the service. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Annandale.

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