Gene P. Peterson, age 94, of Lakeville, passed away on September 18, 2026.

Gene Palmer Peterson was born on February 22, 1932, in Hawley, Minnesota, to Palmer and Jennie (Marvig) Peterson. He grew up in Hawley and graduated from Hawley High School in 1950. Gene was baptized and confirmed at Hawley Lutheran Church.

Gene was united in marriage to Elsie Spillum at Rollag Lutheran Church on August 5, 1952. At the time, Gene was serving in the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Long Beach, California, and later at Oxnard Air Force Base in California.

Gene was initially employed by several companies in the defense industry before joining IBM Corporation, where he worked in engineering and management. He retired from IBM after 25 years of dedicated service.

After retiring from IBM, Gene and his son-in-law owned and operated a business in Roswell, New Mexico, for approximately 12 years. The company manufactured electronic assemblies and wiring harnesses, primarily for the bus industry. Gene enjoyed telling others that he had the best boss he had ever worked for.

Gene was active in his church throughout his life. He served on church boards, taught Sunday school, and sang in the choir. He enjoyed attending symphony concerts, traveling throughout the United States, playing cards, and spending time with his euchre club. Gene drove his car through all 48 contiguous states and had the pleasure of visiting all 50 states.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Palmer and Jennie Peterson, and his sister, Delores Staton and his infant daughter, Judy Catherine Peterson.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Elsie; sons Dr. Steven Peterson and his wife, Kathleen, and Wayne Peterson and his wife, Karla; daughter Karen Petterson; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and other loving relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 600 Walnut Street, Farmington, Minnesota. Visitation will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church before the service. Burial will take place in Hawley, Minnesota.