Vernon "Vern" Peterson, 83 of Red Lake Falls, MN passed away on Friday, February 18, 2022 at his residence with his loving wife, Lorna by his side.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 PM Monday, February 28, 2022 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Visitation will begin at noon prior to the service. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Red Lake Falls, MN in the spring.

Vernon Edwin Peterson was born June 24, 1938 in Pelan Township, Kittson County, rural Karlstad, MN the son of Edwin and Marie (Flaten) Peterson. He was baptized April 29, 1965 by Father Gerald Noesen and confirmed April 21, 1967 by Bishop Glenn at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN.

He attended schools in Karlstad, MN, Hastings, MN, St. Hilaire, MN, and graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, MN with the class of 1957.

From 1957-1964, Vern served with the Army National Guard, Thief River Falls and was Honorably Discharged as "Sergeant" in 1964.

On May 1, 1965 "May Day", Vern was united in marriage to Lorna Lee Ford at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN. To this union three children were born, Timothy John, Mark William and Amy Lee. The family lived in rural Red Lake Falls 1965-1967, city of Red Lake Falls 1967-1969, St. Hilaire 1969-1978 and rural Red Lake Falls since 1978.

Vern worked at various jobs including Ken Bothum Potato Farms, Karlstad 1949, Jorgen Knutson Farms, Red Lake Falls 1950, Engelstad Farms, Thief River Falls 1956-1957, Land O' Lakes Trucking and Hatchery 1957-1962, Shetler's Hatchery, Thief River Falls 1965-1967, Steiger's Manufacturing, Red Lake Falls 1967-1978, American Crystal Sugar Company, Crookston, MN 1978-2001 where he retired after 23 years of seasonal work. Vern farmed from 1953-2004 while doing the above-mentioned jobs as well and retired from farming in 2004 after 51 years.

He enjoyed traveling, maintaining a beautiful yard, bingo, auction sales, area winter shows, 4-wheeling, TV shows-especially RFD and Stephen Colbert monologue, area parades and festivals, thrashing bees. He also enjoyed woodworking/crafts, camping, campfires, reading, listening to KTRF radio, was known as the "Popcorn Man" when meeting with the "Garden Club" at St. Hilaire, spending time with grandkids and family and WORK, WORK, WORK!! He always had two jobs.

Survivors include wife Lorna of 56 years; children Tim (Paula) Peterson of Fergus Falls, MN, Mark (Pam) Peterson of Monticello, MN, Amy (Jitu) Falodia of North Bend, WA; grandchildren Jacob (Steph) Peterson and Rylee Peterson, Kyler and Kaden Peterson, Maya, Anjali, and Kavya Falodia; brother Rudy Peterson of Mt. Pleasant, WI, sister Gladys Kush of Iron, MN; sisters-in-law Carolyn Rahier of Thief River Falls, Marlene Peterson of South Milwaukee, WI, brother-in-law Terry (Julie) Ford of Council Bluffs, IA; nieces and nephews; cousins, and special friend Lee Johnson of Thief River Falls; and many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother Stanley; brothers-in-law Richard Rahier, Henry "Hank" Kush, Michael Ford, Ellwood Erickson; sister-in-law Sharon Erickson; aunts and uncles.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St Bernard's Building Fund and the Red River Valley Hospice.