Arthur J. 'Art' Petrie

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Petrie, Arthur "Art" J. Arthur Joseph Petrie died peacefully on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 in Las Vegas, NV with family by his side. Born July 16, 1934 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Alice (Irving) and Arthur Petrie, he was the first of seven children.

Art began his work life at a very young age selling newspapers, shining shoes, hauling ice, working the docks in Hoboken, driving truck, and other odd jobs, to help support his family when his dad became ill. He left high school at 16 to help provide for the family. He was still working, making calls, closing deals, and giving free advice up until his final hours.

He joined the Army at 19 and served state side during the Korean War. He was proud of his service and it helped him focus on his future. His Army buddy, Bob Gray, convinced him to head to Minnesota upon discharge where Mankato State (MSU) would accept his GED. He never completed college, however he made sure his six children had the opportunity to attend college and complete their education, debt free. In Mankato, Art met P. Jane Mullin and courted her, even after returning to New Jersey. He returned to Minnesota in 1957, and they were married on August 31. Together they had six children. Art and Jane divorced in 1998, remaining friends until her passing in May 2020.

Art began his career in Mankato working at Sears but soon realized he wanted to follow a different career path. With help and his own drive he started in the insurance business. This was a turning point in his life and he realized great success. In 1965 he was the first from Mankato to be named as a lifetime member to the Million Dollar Round Table. He attributed his success to the advice and support he received from Mr. Robert McTigue and Iris Iddings. Iris was his assistant for over 30 years and helped keep him organized and (mostly) out of trouble. Art had another major turning point in his life when it became clear his drinking was unmanageable. He was given the choice to go to jail or treatment. Fortunately for many, he chose treatment. He was a devoted member of AA for 45 years and helped many others find their sobriety over the years as well.

Art was an avid reader and lifelong learner. He became interested in real estate development, forming Petrie Development Corp in 1976. So began a new career with many successful projects and partnerships. Housing was his first focus and he led the development of many Family, Senior and Accessible Housing Projects such as Eastport (Mankato, MN), Seward Square (Minneapolis, MN) and Patterson Place (Bismarck ND).

One of the projects he was most proud of was the competitive acquisition of the lower campus of MSU, Mankato, allowing the college to further expand on top of the hill. He successfully rehabbed some of the buildings for office and housing uses with continued ownership interest in Colonial Square Apartments.

Art developed commercial properties, hotels, retail, and office projects throughout his life. He and partners helped the City of Mankato by acquiring the Mankato Mall mid-development to save the project from default.

More recent adventures included executive producer credit for two Las Vegas shows, The Rat Pack is Back and MJ Live, partner/owner of the Aveda Institute in Las Vegas, and investment owner of Art 2 art LLC, an art gallery in Las Vegas. Art did not go it alone and had many friends and partners along the way. He was a visionary who could see ahead and often around corners. He liked to control the deals and relished the process of bringing everything to close.

Art was a member of the Mankato Jaycees when they worked to bring the Vikings training camp to Mankato, he was instrumental in the development of the Mankato Rehabilitation Center and served as President of the board. He served on the Foundation Board at MSU, and he was named to the Mankato Business Hall of Fame in 1990 by the Mankato Area Chamber of Commerce. He was active in National and State DFL politics and hosted many fundraisers. He was honored to serve as an usher at Hubert Humphry's funeral. He served on the Governors Crime Commission and on the World Trade Center Board for Governors Anderson and Perpich. We are sad that he did not live to see President-elect Biden sworn in, he was a big supporter!

Art's second wife was his partner in work and life. He and Carolyn (Cox) Wise were married on New Year's Day 1999, adding her son, Jason, to the family. Carolyn died on Dec. 23, 2016.

Art was predeceased by his parents; wife, Carolyn; former wife, P. Jane; brothers, John, Robert, and Charlie; sister Mary Valenti and her husband Joe; son-in-law Cass Michaletz; daughter-in-law Missy Wise and nephew Joseph Valenti. Art is survived by daughters Kathie Petrie (Mark Bowden) Sioux City, IA; Susan Michaletz, Minnetonka, MN; Cindy Sherman (Boone) Ramsey, MN; Paula Baker (Charlie) Wayzata, MN; sons Arthur Petrie III (Shelley Neiman) Las Vegas, NV; Mitchell Petrie (Kristin) Plymouth, MN; Jason Wise of Visalia CA; and former son-in-law, Denny Smith, Omaha, NE. Grandchildren: Paula Wilson (Brett) Omaha NE; Emma Lane (David) Overland Park KS; Amy Michaletz, St. Augusta, MN; Anna Michaletz Armstrong (Marcus) Shakopee, MN; Lizzie Petrie-Smith, Rochester, MN; Dan Sherman, Minnetonka, MN; Joe Sherman, Madison, WI; Alice Baker, Nashville, TN; Braden Petrie, Las Vegas, NV; Theo Petrie, Grand Forks ND; Grace Petrie, Colorado Springs, CO; Aaron and Will Petrie, Plymouth, MN; Blake Wise and Julia Wise, Visalia, CA; Great grandchildren: Haley and Burke Wilson, and Josephine Lane. Also survived by sister Alice Augustine (Rob) Sarasota FL, and brother Gregory (Doris) Cologne, NJ, Sisters-in-law Nancy (FL), Joan (NJ), and Rita (Mankato) and many nieces and nephews. Special friends Wayne Wandersee, Gary Leslie, Tom Fox, Tom LaSalle, Greg Orman, Lyle Berman, Roger Moe, and Dick Feeney. A special thanks to Debra Anderson who was a friend and employee of Art & Carolyn's. Her care and support over the years, especially this last, allowed Art to live at home where he was most comfortable.

Art was a generous soul who loved to meet people, tell a story, share his advice, and lend a hand if you needed it. We will miss him.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Minnesota State University – Mankato Foundation at engage.mnsu.edu/… or any charity of your choice. A celebration of life and burial will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery and is tentatively planned for July 17, 2021.

Published on January 10, 2021