Fred Peterson, 96, died early Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at Good Samaritan in Albert Lea.

Fredrick Israel Peterson was born on Nov. 30, 1915. He was the youngest of seven children, born to Sophus and Mary Peterson in Albert Lea, Minn. He attended Albert Lea schools. As a young man, he worked at several jobs in Albert Lea, including farming his father’s farm. In 1947, he married Helen A. Feldt at Rock Creek Lutheran Church, near St. Ansgar, Iowa. They resided in Bancroft Township, where Fred continued to farm and they started their family of four daughters, Linda, Jean, Marlys and Cheryl.

The family moved to Brownsdale, Minn., in 1957, where Fred farmed and worked at the Brownsdale Meat Service. In 1965, Fred purchased Hayfield Lockers and moved his family to Hayfield. Fred was active on the city council, the church council at Trinity Lutheran in Hayfield and many other community affairs. After the passing of his wife, Helen, in 1974, he married Elizabeth Pfiefer in 1977. Elizabeth passed away in 1989 and Fred moved back to Albert Lea. He married Elsie Johnson, who passed away after 13 years of marriage. Fred spent the last nine years at the Senior Tower, making many friends, including a special friend, Lois Baker. Feb. 1, 2012, Fred moved to Good Samaritan and spent his last days there with the wonderful staff at Station 4.

Fred enjoyed laughter and life, family and friends. He loved music, dancing, playing 500, listening to the Minnesota Twins on the radio, and bowling. He bowled on the senior league until January 2012, at the age of 96. Fred was a member of the Eagles and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Fred touched many lives with his great sense of humor, was always ready with a joke, song or wise crack.

He is survived by his daughters: Linda Parsells (Austin, Texas), Jean Herron (Denver, Colo.), Marlys (Wendell) Kuehn (Rochester, Minn.), and Cheryl (Dave) Lavalier-Nelson (Albert Lea, Minn.); grandchildren: Shannon Parsells, Dan Herron, Paul Clemens, Crystal Kuehn, Angela Lavalier, Rachelle Lavalier, and Derek Lavalier; great-granddaughter, Madeline Lavalier. His sisters-in law are Irene Thompson and Agnes Severson, Joan Feldt and Delores Feldt. His step children are John (Mary) Pfiefer, (Duane) Lois Klocke, Mary Jane (Larry) Hansen, Larry (Pat) Pfiefer, Delores Snyder, Carol DeSmet, Regis (Bob) Olson, Marlene (Roger) Olson, Charlotte Haukoos, Julie (Mark) Hultgren. He had many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sophus and Mary Peterson; wives, Helen, Elizabeth and Elsie; brothers, Clifford and Herbert Peterson; sisters, Alvina Nelson, Rose Knutson, Maybelle Johnson and LillyAnn Henderson.

The funeral will be at Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 24. The Rev. Curtis Zieske will officiate. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery, Hayfield. Visitation will be Friday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, Minn. from 5 to 8 p.m.