Pete Petersen, former long-time Ag Rep for the Yorkton district passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre following a brief illness. He was 86 years of age. Peter Wilhelm Niels Petersen was born January 11, 1927 at Heiligenstedten, Germany; son of Peter Friedrich and Emilie Elisabeth (nee Kuhndelt) Petersen. At age 9 months he immigrated with his mother and siblings to Canada to join his father who had come earlier in the year. The family settled in the Wadena district where Pete received his education. As a young man he began employment at Patron Motors in Wadena before entering the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. He continued to work at Patron Motors during the summer months, graduating with his Agriculture Degree in 1952. On July 23, 1952 he was united in marriage to Mildred Ottmann at Wadena. He began his career with the Provincial Government as a district Agriculture Rep, first at Watson for a short time before transferring to Hudson Bay. In 1962, the family moved to Yorkton where Pete was the Ag Rep for District 12 until his retirement in 1987. During these years Pete was also involved in community, serving on the board of directors for the Yorkton Credit Union and the Yorkton Exhibition Association. Pete and Milly were fortunate to spend 12 winters in Arizona as well as enjoying their cabin at Madge Lake. Milly predeceased Pete on Dec. 17, 2009 and following that time became a resident of the Bentley in 2010 and then the Yorkton and District Nursing Home, Morris House in November of 2012. Pete was also predeceased by step-brothers Andy and Hans; step-sisters Herta and Margaret; a brother Nels, and sisters Inge, Sigrid and Elsie. He leaves to cherish his memory his three sons: Darryl (Lola) of Saskatoon; Dean (Gayla) of Yorkton; and Derek (Linda) of Invermere, BC; granddaughters: Janna, Kelsey & Elyse, and grandson Dane. Also a brother Arne (Madeline) of Emma Lake; sisters; Maren Wilson of Saskatoon & Toody Turner of Debden; brother-in-law, George (Evelyn) Edmunds of Saskatoon, SK; sister-in-law, Iona Petersen of Sudbury, ON; numerous nieces, nephews and his many other relatives and friends. The funeral service was held on Thursday, February 21, 2013 from Westview United Church in Yorkton with Rev. Molly Kitchen officiating. Organist, Laurene Jemieff and pianist, Shani Apland led members of the choir and the congregation in the singing of the hymns 'Jesus, You Have Come to the Lakeshore', and 'Come and Find the Quiet Centre'. Soloist, Leonard Varga sang 'Blest are They'. Son Derek gave the eulogy. Honorary bearers were Don and Sylvia Milne, Carol Hastie, Al Ferleyko. Lorne Anderson, Ray Buckle and Tom McCloy. The interment took place in the Garden of Gethsemene at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with sons Darryl, Dean & Derek and grandchildren Janna, Kelsey, Elyse and Dane serving as the casketbearers. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com. Memorials were to the Saskatchewan 4-H Foundation. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home.
