Gary Petersen

Gary D Petersen , 64, of Apple Valley, MN, formerly of Wyoming, IA died on Feb 22 in Tucson AZ.

 Services will be conducted by The Rev. Dr. T. Edwards Breed at Zion American Lutheran Church in Wyoming on Saturday March 4 at 11:00 am, with burial at the Wyoming cemetery.  Visitation will be at Lahey Funeral Home in Wyoming on Friday March 3 from 4 – 7 pm.

Gary Dwaine Petersen was born on September 18, 1952 in Maquoketa, Iowa, the son of Melvin and Shirley Bock Petersen.  He graduated from Midland High School in Wyoming in 1970.  He attended Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls for 2 years and then transferred to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff where he graduated in 1974 with a degree in business finance.

He married Christine Velasco on January 4, 1975 in Hayden, Arizona.  Gary worked for the railroads in Cedar Rapids, IA and Houston, TX for a short time, before beginning his career with Green Giant in Le Sueur, MN and completing his career as Director of Transportation with General Mills in Minneapolis, MN.  During his career he served as President of the Food Shippers of America Convention. 

Gary’s life centered around his family and enjoyed being involved with his son’s activities.  He absolutely adored his grandchildren.  Gary was a sports fan and especially loved the Vikings.  Canadian fishing trips with his family members and friends provided many good stories.  He lived his entire life with a positive attitude and a ready smile, in spite of the multitude of health problems throughout the past years.

He is survived by his wife, Christine; his sons, Gary Keith (Megan) and their daughter Ella of Lakeville, MN; Scott  (Nayeli) and their children Adrian and Sofia of Tucson, AZ; Danny of Apple Valley, MN; his mother, Shirley Petersen of Wyoming, IA; his brother, Rick (Sue) Petersen of Wilton, IA; his sisters, Linda Erickson and Kristy (Tom) Oberbreckling of Wyoming, IA.    He was preceded in death by his father, Melvin and his brother, Paul Petersen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

 Service Information