Ed Petersen

Mr. W. Edward Petersen, age 88, of Faribault, died Tuesday, June 17, 2014, at his brother's home in Phoenix, Arizona.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault, with Reverend Michael Kaluza, officiating. Interment will be held at Meadow Ridge Memorial Park in Faribault.

Memorial visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Arrangements are with the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault.

Wallace Edward Petersen, son of Edward E. and Margaret (Breen) Petersen, was born on February 14, 1926 in Churdan, Iowa. He attended Fulda High School and graduated in the Class of 1943. Pete joined the Army Infantry. Crossing the English Channel, Christmas Eve 1944, he survived the sinking of the troop Ship SS Leopoldville, and marched off toward the Battle of the Bulge the very next day. His service medals include: an EAME Campaign Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, and a WWII Victory Medal. Following the War, Pete went to the University of Minn. and became a Pharmacist and worked at the Mayo Clinic. He married Elizabeth Anne Christensen on Jan 20th, 1951 and moved to Faribault in 1952. He owned and operated Payant Drug Company. He set up and ran the pharmacies at District One Hospital and the Wilson Center. He also worked at the Northfield Hospital pharmacy and at the Le Sueur and Henderson pharmacies. He was a volunteer with the county program that provides health and pharmacy services to Rice County residents in need. He was a member of the Faribault Chamber of Commerce. His hobbies included restoring antique Plymouths and was a member of the Plymouth car club. He also was active in the Blue Bird Recovery Program in his later years. Pete received the Hallie Bruce Foundation Award for Outstanding Pharmacist in 1974. He belonged to Kappa Si Epsilon at the Univ. of Minn, was a member of the American Legion Post 43 since 1962, Faribault Council 889 Knights of Columbus, and a life member with the Faribault Elks Lodge. He also LOVED camping and the Great Outdoors!

He is survived by his two daughters, Margaret "Peggy" (& Jon) LeBlanc of Wolverine, Michigan, and Mary (& Tom) Jean of Coles Point, Virginia; eight grandchildren; his brother, Richard (& Bonnie) of Phoenix, Arizona; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Anne; daughter, Roberta; and infant son Craig.