John Peterson, Thief River Falls, MN, 87, died on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at Valley Home in Thief River Falls, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 PM Friday, December 14, 2012 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Burial will be held at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Thursday, December 13, 2012 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM on Friday at St. Bernard's Catholic Church. John L. Peterson was born on May 13, 1925 in Weaver, ND the son of Louis and Ula Peterson. He was an orphan by the time he was 5 years old and was raised by an aunt & uncle. John attended school in Starkweather, ND. On May 4, 1948 John was united in marriage to Leona Ann Bukowski. The couple lived in various places in North Dakota until 1953 when they moved to Thief River Falls where John came to manage the Robertson Lumber Company. He was co-owner of Home Lumber and in 1964 he started Peterson Lumber in Thief River Falls. In 1982 John was proud to sell the business to his sons, Gordy and Brian. John continued to work at the lumber yard until October 2012. Throughout his career, John enjoyed building and remodeling homes and lake cabins for dear friends. He developed Stevens Drive and the Sherwood Forest areas of Thief River Falls. John was always a people person; he loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed playing cribbage, dancing, hunting, putting his family on the fish, had a great sense of humor, had a great work ethic, and could tell a great story! Family was always his pride and joy. John has been described as caring, loyal, a gentlemen, humorous, and dressed well. John had a few lines he used over the years including; "a new broom sweeps well", and "work is for people who don't know how to fish." John was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Lions Club, American Legion Post, & Eagle's Club all in Thief River Falls. He wintered from 2002 until 2010 in Mesa, AZ. Survivors include children, Gordy (Margo) Peterson of Thief River Falls, Gayle (Brian) Walker of Eagan, MN and Brian (Cheryl) Peterson of Goodridge, MN; seven grandchildren, Treavor (Elizabeth) Peterson, Kent Peterson, Amber & Aaron Walker, Laura (Aaron) Oliver, Kyle Williams, Molly Peterson; three great grandchildren, Edie, Berit, & Oscar; sisters-in-law, Arlene Peterson and Lenora Dammen; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Leona on November 10, 2001; son, Steven on August 1, 1998; and siblings, Palmer Peterson, Anna Nell Ombler, Donald Peterson,