Dennis Funeral Homes

SOREN “JUNIOR” PETERSEN, age 84 of Waseca died on Monday, May 16, 2011 at the Waseca Medical Center.

Born on November 18, 1926 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, he was the son of Soren and Sadie (Bartel) Petersen.  He attended high school in Albert Lea before entering the U.S. Army.  Following his honorable discharge, he moved to Waseca where he graduated from Waseca High School in 1947.   Junior married Betty Nelson on December 11, 1948 at Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca.  They moved to Chula Vista, California where he was employed at TP Hearns and CGI machine shops.  They returned to Waseca where they purchased the Rendezvous Restaurant.  After selling the restaurant, Junior worked at Lakeside Golf Club and later as custodian at the Waseca Middle School.   He enjoyed golfing, bingo, and fishing.  He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and was a lifetime member of the Waseca VFW.

He is survived by two sons, Wayne Petersen of Waseca and Dennis Petersen of El Cajon, CA; two daughters, Linda (Dale) Ortloff of Hutchinson and Nancy (Kim) Gerdts of Poway, CA; nine grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.  He is also survived by two brothers, Howard (Dee) Petersen of Park Rapids and Roger Petersen of St. Louis Park and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and one sister-Ruth.

Visitation will be held at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on Friday, May 20, 2011 from 4-8 PM and continue on Saturday, one hour before services at the church.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca.  Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery.