Rev. Leslie C. Peterson Obituary (1920

Leslie Cleve Peterson, age 94, died peacefully at his home at Autumn Village in Menomonie on Thursday, October 16. He was born July 15, 1920 in Wolfe Point, Montana to Clarence and Mabel (Carlson) Peterson. Leslie is survived by one brother, Dean (Elaine) Peterson; daughters Luella (Jim) Weir, Rachel (Bill) Jones, Marilyn (Pete) Friberg, Bobbie (Matt) Bainbridge, and son Paul (Laurie) Peterson; nine granddaughters Kristi (Seth) Welle, Kari (Chris) Mayo, Sheryl (Mark) Castillo, Carolyn (Isaac) Shafer, Amanda Bainbridge, Sarah Friberg, Caitlin Peterson, Claudia Peterson, Eva Peterson; eight great grandchildren Brooke & Wolfe Castillo, Sam & Owen Mayo, Rhys & Claire Shafer and Jack & Sully Welle. He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Mabel (Carlson) Peterson, his wife Ruth, brothers Marvin, Murl and Mick; sisters Evelyn, Lucille, Luella and Ardys. When he was one year old, the family moved to Rosholt, South Dakota where they farmed. He graduated from Rosholt High School in 1938. He attended Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN and graduated in 1943. Les attended Augustana Seminary in Rock Island, Ill. where he met Ruth Hedlund and they were married on December 27, 1946 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Boyceville, WI. He graduated in June 1947. In 1947 he received his call to Tanzania (Tanganyika), East Africa from the Lutheran Board of World Missions. Les was ordained June 15, 1947 in Kansas City, Kansas. Les and Ruth left for Africa as missionaries in August 1947. They served in central Tanzania for 25 years. While there he was pastor, teacher, builder, and instrumental in bringing farming methods to his congregations. In 1972, Les and Ruth left the mission field and returned to the United States to be close to Ruth’s widowed father. In 1973 Les accepted a call to Providence Valley Lutheran Church in Dawson, MN where he served for eight years. Christ Lutheran Church in Menomonie, Wisconsin called him in 1981 as an associate pastor to Pastor Hilmar Mostul and later to Pastor Andy Boe until 1985. Les then served American Lutheran Homes as chaplain until 1996 when he formally retired. In retirement Les and Ruth shared their life at their hobby farm north of Menomonie with family, friends and community. They enjoyed gardening, their lake cabin, and horses. Les reveled in providing many horse rides and sleigh rides for family and many community groups. Les thoroughly enjoyed participating in Silver Threads, Sunshine group, the area food pantry, Kids ‘n Kinship, and his horseshoe league. He continued helping with congregational visitation. Ruth died in February 2009. Les continued to live on the farm for two more years. In 2011 Les moved to Autumn Village assisted living apartments in Menomonie, WI. While there Les continued to be a regular and active member of Christ Lutheran Church. Dad died peacefully while resting on his bed, the morning of October 16, 2014. Memorials preferred to: Global Health Ministries, Stepping Stones (local food pantry), Christ Lutheran Church, and Bread For The World. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 25, 2014 at Christ Lutheran Church in Menomonie, with Pastor Geoff Scott officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. Saturday until the time of the service.