Wendell (Windy) Peterson

Wendell was born under Independence Day fireworks to Alfred (Pete) and Betty Peterson on July 4, 1940, in Montevideo, Minnesota. At least that was his story of why we have fireworks.

Windy passed away on August 4, 2024, at the place of his birth, CCM Health in Montevideo, leaving behind a legacy of love for his family and an appreciation for the natural world that won’t soon be forgotten.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Anderson - TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo. Pastor Marie Eckberg will officiate, and interment will be at Sunset Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Arrangements are with Anderson - TeBeest Funeral Home.

Windy graduated from Central High School in Montevideo, MN.

After high school, he enlisted in the US Army and was a Vietnam Veteran, serving from 1961 to 1964. Like too many vets, he suffered from PTSD. He wasn’t able to travel very far outside Montevideo. He suffered from extreme anxiety and would hyperventilate when he attempted to travel. He was afraid of the dark and didn’t like the evenings (Sundowners). He said he slept poorly because of night terrors. He fought his problems in silence and found peace on the rivers and at Lagoon Park and Lac Qui Parle.

He worked for Langenfeld’s Ice Cream in his youth and for the Chippewa County Road Survey Crew when returning from the service.

He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Montevideo, often donating to their food shelf and other missions. He would go to Luther Haven and regale them with his fishing tales and outdoor adventures canoeing on the river and at Lac Qui Parle. Just give him his canoe, a paddle, a fishing rod, and set him free on the Minnesota, Chippewa, or Lac Qui Parle Rivers, and he was a happy man. As an avid outdoorsman, his favorite haunts were Lagoon Park, Lac Qui Parle Lake, Churchill Dam, and Prien’s Landing; often hiking 3-5 miles. He loved the prairies over the deep forests. He enjoyed photographing it all. In February 1982, he, along with Doug Pederson, found a dugout canoe 1 mile below the Churchill Dam on the Minnesota River at the foot of Lac Qui Parle Lake. It is now on display in Gippe Log Cabin at “Historic Chippewa City” in Montevideo.

He had the memory of an elephant and knew everyone in Montevideo. He was also well known as the man with the canoe on top of his red Chevy Colorado.

Windy lived in Montevideo all his life (except for his military service). Smith Addition was home growing up. Windy was always a “jokester.” He and his buddy, Curt Winters, loved to bring giant snapping turtles they caught on the Minnesota River to the family home in Smith Addition just to scare the XXXX out of his sister! And they succeeded.

He lived at his Burnsdale apartment, room 206 for 18 years before his health made him give up his home. Leaving it and his friends there was really hard and scary for him. On May 8, 2024, he finally agreed to move to Home Front First Assisted Living, room 307. He said it was so big it reminded him of a castle. It was a really tough time for him, but the staff at Home Front were great at understanding him. He could at times be a little stubborn. But they kept him supplied with his favorite foods of ice cream and ginger cookies.

We take solace in the knowledge that Windy is now at peace, surrounded by the natural splendor he so cherished in life. As we navigate the rivers of our own lives, we will hold Windy’s memory close. Rest in peace, Windy. Your journey on this earth was a gift to us all.

We would personally like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the community of Montevideo for their support and friendship throughout Windy’s life. It wasn’t always easy, but the people he encountered made the challenges easier. God has blessed Montevideo with your presence.

Windy is survived by his sister, Sue (Doug) Easterlund; nieces and nephews, Mary (George) Gerkin, Pamela Peterson, Brent (Bonnie) Peterson, David (Rolene) Davis, Ruthie (Gary) Kugler, Renie Pollack, Mitchell (Vi) Davis, Valerie Peterson, Craig (Gerri) Peterson, Toni (Wayne) Cremer, Melissa (Bill) Johnson, Kimberly (Andy) LeGro, Michelle Reed, Peter (Laurenda) Easterlund, Gregory (Jennifer) Easterlund, Brenda (Craig) Ritter; sister-in-law, Pam Peterson; and special cousin, Joseph (Kris) Harrison; as well as many other extended family.

He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Alvin (Dorothy) Peterson, Edna (Gene) Davis, Jack (Winnie) Peterson, Calvin Peterson, Lucille Peterson, John Peterson, and an infant brother; nephews, Mark Peterson, Michael Peterson, Timothy Peterson, and Jon Pollack.