Lynn Peterson

Lynn (Swen) Austin Peterson, 73, of Detroit Lakes , died peacefully at home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Funeral Services for Lynn will be held on Tuesday, September 25 at 11:00am in the First Lutheran Church of Detroit Lakes. A gathering of family and friends will be Monday, September 24, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm with a 6:30pm prayer service in the David-Donehower Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes, MN. Reverend Rachel Simonson, officiating. Interment in the Richwood Cemetery, Richwood, MN.

Lynn (Swen) Austin Peterson was born December 6, 1944 to Orville and Guida Peterson in Winger, MN.  He was baptized and confirmed at Calvary Lutheran Church in Winger, MN.  He attended elementary school in Grafton, ND, and Winger, MN., graduating from McIntosh High School in 1963.  Lynn married Gretchen Peterson in 1965, and together they had two children, Adam and         Michael. They later divorced.  For eleven years he made his home and worked in the Minneapolis area.

On March 28, 1970, Lynn was united in marriage to Judy Henschke at the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Blaine, MN.  To this union a son, Jeremy was born.  The family lived in Coon Rapids, MN. where Lynn worked for the Control Data Corporation until the fall of 1974, when they moved to the Detroit Lakes area.  Lynn worked for Dynamic Homes until 1979 and then for Snappy Air Distribution Products, until his retirement in January 2010.

Lynn was a man dedicated to his faith, family and friends.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandpa, brother, son, brother-in-law and friend.  Through the years, Lynn was active in church, serving in many different capacities.  In 1988, Lynn, along with several other interested families in the Richwood area, started the Richwood Rangers Little League Team.  Lynn also assisted with coaching.  Lynn also served on the board of the Ultra Snowmobile Club and the Becker County Trails Advisory Council.  Other volunteer activities included; Lutheran Brotherhood and serving on the Wild Rice Electric Cooperative Member Advisory Board.

Through the years, Lynn cherished the opportunity to ride his snowmobile with his family and friends.  In the summer months, his passion was to work outside in his flower gardens, and in the cold winter months, he made sure the birds were being cared for.  He loved music, and as a teenager he participated in a band called, “Robby Lynn and the Teens”.  Lynn was dedicated to fitness.  He loved to run, and completed his first marathon, at the age of 48. He participated in the Twin Cities Marathon and twice in the Grandmas Marathon in Duluth.  This commitment to fitness continued with many hours spent each week at DLCCC with the bonus of  meeting and visiting with new found friends.  During this past year and a half, Lynn ran his hardest race against cancer.  He did so with courage and extended graciousness to everyone who helped him in his difficult  battle.  Lynn’s kind, dedicated and gentle soul will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Lynn’s most precious earthly possessions were his family that survives him:  Beloved wife; Judy, son; Adam of Minneapolis, son Jeremy (Jessica) and their three children; Kaitlyn, Ryan and Emily of Detroit Lakes, daughter-in-law, Kara and her three children; Preston, Ellianna and Brekka of Minneapolis, two brothers; Don (Sharon) Peterson and Darryl (Carol) Peterson both of  Portland, OR. , brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws; Ron and Jan Oppegaard of Hayfield, MN. , Dave and Sue Henschke of Brainerd, MN. and Vonda Henschke of Prior Lake, MN., one aunt; Ardy Lablanc, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lynn is preceded in death by his parents; Orville and Guida Peterson one son; Michael Peterson and one sister; Linda Peterson.