Robert D.V. Peterson

Robert D.V. Peterson, age 92, of rural Glenwood, MN, passed away at home on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 6th, at Barsness Lutheran Church, with Rev. Brenda Boogren officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment in the church cemetery will follow the service. Please observe COVID precautions. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Robert Dean Vincent Peterson was born December 6, 1928 to Johnny and Lavilla (Dalager) Peterson. He was baptized, confirmed, and a lifelong member of Barsness Lutheran Church. He attended District 78 rural school, and a correspondence course in diesel mechanics. He was united in marriage to Eunice Foss on April 3, 1950 at the Glenwood Lutheran Parsonage. They began their life together on the hill overlooking the Peterson family farm and they remained there for the next 71 years, raising chickens, pigs, horses, cows and twelve children. Robert started his dairy operation with a cow purchased from Rev. Leonard Thompson, and grew it to a herd of 60 grade A dairy cows before he retired in the late 1990s.

The Peterson farm earned Century Farm status in 1982. It was visited frequently by friends, family, neighbors and salesmen. Robert didn’t know a stranger. Farm repairs, salesman pitches, and deliveries most often included coffee and fresh cake. His welding ability and mechanical skills were called on by many in the neighborhood. He was a passionate steward of the land, conscious of the environmental impact of agriculture. He was a leader in conservation farming, the first in this area to try no till planting, contour farming and minimum tillage.

Robert is survived by his wife, Eunice; ten of their twelve children, Herbert (Elaine) Peterson, Harvey (Karen) Peterson, Daniel Peterson, Marilyn Peterson, Phillip (Ivy) Peterson, Vernon (Mari) Peterson, Merlin (Brian) Peterson, Lynette (Chad) Martin, Lynn (Lisa) Peterson, and Kent Peterson; daughter-in-law, Pat Peterson; two brothers, Hans (JoAnne) Peterson and Ralph (Jeanette) Peterson; one sister, Lila (Tom) Creager; a sister-in-law, Marlys Peterson; twenty-six grandchildren; a growing number of great- and great-great grandchildren; and a large extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Lavilla; one brother, Curtis, a son, Keith; a daughter, Juanita; and a daughter-in-law, Lynn.

Memorials may be directed to Glacial Ridge Hospice in honor of his exceptional caregivers over the last months.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.