Gerald Petterson, age 98, of Lafayette passed away peacefully on Friday, August 30, 2024 at Ecumen Pathstone in Mankato.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Bernadotte Lutheran Church in rural Lafayette. Pastor Mike Zaske will officiate. Burial will follow in the Bernadotte Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:30-11 a.m. Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Bernadotte Lutheran Church in rural Lafayette.

Gerald Petterson, affectionately known as "Junior," was born on January 15, 1926, to Gerald and Helen (Brimie) Petterson near Lake Crystal, MN, in Lincoln Township, Blue Earth County. He came into this world during a harsh winter, delivered by a doctor who arrived in a horse-drawn sleigh. His early years were challenging, as his mother, Helen, was battling Scarlet Fever and unable to care for him. The family received help during this time, and Helen eventually regained her strength through rehabilitation. As an only child, Junior faced significant hardships early in life. At the tender age of five, he tragically lost his father in a sawing accident on their farm. His mother, Helen, a young widow, had to navigate life with a young son, moving frequently and staying with her sister's family during this difficult period. Junior had only vague memories of his early life and his father.

In 1938, Helen married John Larson, and together they rented farms until 1944 when they purchased the Sjolstrom farm. The family has continued to live and farm there ever since. In 1954, after John Larson passed away at home, Junior took over the farming duties alongside his mother, he farmed for 44 years. In addition to farming, Junior worked at the Bernadotte Creamery and for other local farmers. He attended a country school and in 1946, he married DeLores Peterson, a neighbor, at the Bernadotte Parsonage. The newlyweds lived with Helen and John, and DeLores worked in the Bernadotte Creamery office.

Throughout his life, Junior witnessed incredible changes—from horse-drawn farming and crank telephones to today's modern technologies, which he mostly avoided. His love of auctions led to a collection of spare parts stored in his large shed, a treasure trove where he knew the location of every item.

Junior and DeLores were the epitome of "salt of the earth" people, dedicated to farming and deeply involved in the Bernadotte Church community. They were always ready to lend a helping hand to neighbors and church members, who became like extended family. Their home was a welcoming place where the door was always open, and the coffee pot and cookie jar were always full.

Losing DeLores in 2009, after 63 years of marriage, was the hardest moment of Junior's life. He often said, "She was the glue that held our family together." Together, they raised three children: Duane (born in 1946), Denise (born in 1958), and Brian (born in 1960). Family was everything to Junior, and he cherished time spent with his five grandchildren—Sherry, John, Jason, Sara, and Nathan—and his seven great-grandchildren, including his newest great-great-granddaughter, born on July 26, 2024.

After DeLores passed, Junior continued to live on the farm until 2016, when he moved into The Lodge, an assisted living facility in Winthrop. The move brought him much-needed companionship, social activities, and home-cooked meals. Despite his aging and declining health, Junior was never alone. In March 2024, as his health further declined, Junior moved to Ecumen Pathstone Nursing Care in Mankato, where he received excellent care until his passing on August 30, 2024. He was blessed to have hospice care and the support of a dedicated staff during his final days.

Gerald is survived by his

Children - Duane (Sherryl) Petterson and Brian Petterson

Grandchildren - Sherry (Shawn) Eggum, John (Gretchen) Petterson, and Jason (Kristen) Petterson

Great Grandchildren - Cherise Petterson, Kylie (Cody) Schwering, Haley (Nathan) Meyer, Kade (Becca) Eggum, Rylee Petterson, Payton Petterson, Tyler Petterson

Step Great Grandchildren - Anyssa (Adam) Clark, Alaynna Chavez, Matias Chavez, Gabe Chavez, Sam Chavez

Great Great Granddaughter - Kollyns Schwering

Step Great Great Grandchildren - Ryker Clark, Asher Clark, Sawyer Clark

Sisters-in-Law - Darlene Voss, Myra (Roy) Bevis

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald & Helen Petterson, stepdad, John Larson, wife, DeLores Petterson, daughter, Denise Woods, son-in-law, Tim Woods, grandchildren, Sara Woods and Nathan Woods.