Obituary: Donald D. Peterson

Donald D. Peterson, 85, Barnum, died peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Moose Lake Village. He was born on April 17, 1938, to Melvin and Arlene Peterson in Barnum.

Don grew up in the Blackhoof Township area and attended school in Barnum. He hauled pulpwood with his dad, logged in northern Minnesota, worked for the Soo Line Railroad, and operated a can and bulk milk route with his brother, Richard.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

On Dec. 27, 1969, Don married Irene Olson in Barnum.

He worked for more than 20 years for the Carlton County Highway Department, retiring in 2000. He was a volunteer firefighter for Blackhoof Township. Don provided the lawn maintenance for the township and took care of the Sandy Lake public access and the firehall. He also mowed roadside ditches for his brother, Robert.

Don loved the outdoors and enjoyed deer hunting, spending time in the woods, cutting firewood, making bird houses, and mowing lawn. He truly enjoyed having coffee with family and friends. His greatest love was being a Papa to his grandchildren.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Arlene Peterson; grandparents, Oscar and Sarah Peterson and Charles and Sophie Peterson; brother, Richard “Dick” Peterson; sister-in-law, Beth Peterson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Herbert and Jennie Olson; brother-in-law, Vernon Keinanen; nephew, Gene Peterson; and niece, Tina Peterson.

Don will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 53 years, Irene; daughter, Kelly Jo (Bill) Spaulding; two grandchildren, Mason and Ava Spaulding; three siblings, Robert (Judith) Peterson, Marlene Keinanen, and Melvin (Chris) Peterson; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A gathering of family and friends to celebrate the life of Don Peterson will be held on 1-3 p.m. Saturday, July 22 at Barnum Community United Methodist Church. A private inurnment will be held in Elim Lutheran Cemetery.

Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home in Moose Lake.