Arnold Peterson

Arnold Peterson, 78, of Sunburg, died Thursday, February 19 at Olivia Hospital and Clinics in Olivia. His memorial service will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, May 30th at Hope Lutheran Church in Sunburg. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial with military honors will be in the church cemetery. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home. www.hafh.org

Memorials are preferred to the Sunburg Fire Department, C/O PO Box 41, Sunburg, MN 56289.

Arnold (Arnie) Peterson was born June 21, 1947, in Stearns County, Minnesota, the son of Alfred and Verna (Sorenson) Peterson. He grew up on a farm near New London, until 1959, when his parents moved to Sunburg. 

Arnie graduated from Kerkhoven High School in 1965 and in 1966 he was drafted into the United States Army.  He served his country in the Vietnam War, where he was assigned to the 515th Transportation Co. until 1969.

In November of 1969, Arnie was united in marriage with Kathleen (Kathy) Roen. They had two daughters, Stacy, in 1970, and Shannon, in 1973. Arnie and Kathy made their home on a farm outside of Sunburg, where Arnie farmed and raised pigs for a number of years. He also worked as a custodian at Willmar Community College, where he began in 1973. He enjoyed attending sporting events at the college and became friends with many of the staff. He also enjoyed his work-study students, who worked alongside him while they attended college.

Arnie was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, where he was an usher, helped as a custodian, and participated in the lutefisk dinners. He was also a member of the Willmar VFW and the Sunburg Trolls Car Club. Arnie enjoyed music, traveling, camping, dogs (most notably Scooter), speaking Norwegian, and joking with friends. He was proud of his Norwegian heritage and spoke of it often. Arnie loved his wife, Kathy, dearly, and took great care of her during the last few years of his life. They shared many wonderful memories together.

Arnie died Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Olivia Hospital in Olivia, at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Peterson; his two daughters, Stacy Peterson and Shannon (and Clint) Vanderiet; two grandchildren, Tyler and Paige Vanderiet; his sister, Charlotte Andreen; and many nieces, nephews, and relatives.

Arnie was preceded in death by his parents and his brother and sister-in-law, Carol and Jean Peterson; and his brother-in-law, David Andreen.

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