David Fred Petersen

David Petersen, age 81, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 3, 2025 at his home on the farm in rural Truman Minnesota. A celebration of life will be held 11AM Thursday, March 13th, 2025 at Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Winnebago, MN with Pastor Omtvedt officiating. A visitation will be held from 4-7 PM, Wednesday March 12th at Zaharia Family Funeral Home in Truman, and one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will take place at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Truman.

David was a true people person. It was hard to go anywhere where he didn’t know someone. He loved to travel with Lee and was blessed with many trips, earned through John Deere, and traveling with great friends and his corvette group. “YA, YA Vetcha”. Dave loved dirt track racing, NASCAR, or any race he could pull up on his computer. Dave had celebrated 42 years of sobriety; we were all so proud of him. He loved God and his family deeply.

Dave was born on October 24, 1943 in Fairmont to Sophie (Johnson) and Fred Petersen. He graduated from Truman High School. After graduation, he worked for a short time in Minneapolis, before returning to the family farm. He loved the land and growing things. He married Gloria (Brockman) and they were later divorced. Dave married Merilee (Leiding) Petersen on July 30, 1988. They were blessed with 37 wonderful years together.

Dave went to work for TFE as a John Deere salesman which later was C & B Implement. There he met so many customers and co-workers. Dave retired in 2013. Then he was called back to help the company with his vast knowledge of John Deere. Then, retiring again in January of 2023. Dave was a Leader for Journey’s at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mankato for four years. He was a member and past president of Truman Lions Club.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Lee; children, Kristine (Jeff) Plum of Midlothian, VA and Lisa (Craig) Joyce of Kenosha, WI, Jared (Maria) Klug of Fairmont, MN and Thea (Todd) Boesch of Truman. Grandchildren; Brett Meyeraan (Morgan Olson), Paul Meyeraan, Ashley Meyeraan (Lance LaRue), Gavin Plum, Sophie Joyce, Gabby Klug, Delaney Klug, Taylor Boesch, Trista Boesch. Great-grandchildren; Addison Meyeraan , Huxley Meyeraan, Kestyn Meyeraan, Jackson LaRue and Waylon LaRue.

Dave is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Clarine Langford; and father-in-law, Leo Leiding.