Peterson, LaVern 88 of Fridley, MN, passed away peacefully Monday, January 16, 2023. He was born January 7, 1935, to Brynolf and Edith Peterson in Malmo, MN. Vern attended Clear Lake Grade School in Glen, MN and graduated from Aitkin High School in 1952. He went on to attend Bethel College in St. Paul, MN, played football (three seasons) and varsity baseball. Served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956-1958 and was a very "proud marine." As he often said, "once a marine, always a marine." Graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1959 with a Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Secondary Education. Vern was employed by Minneapolis Honeywell for 9 years and became active in the Minnesota Republican Party during this time. He served as GOP County Chairman in both Anoka and Hennepin Counties at different times and later was employed by the State GOP Party as Director of Field Operations and Programs. During this time, he was also Campaign Manager for the Minnesota Nixon for President Committee (1968) and the Doug Head for Governor Committee in 1970. He became Executive Director of the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities (AMM) in 1974 and served in that capacity until his retirement in January 1998. Vern and his wife Carol moved to their lake home on Sugar Lake (near Glen, MN) in 1998 and became active in many volunteer organizations. Vern served as the chairman of the Glen Community Church from 1999 to 2014, chairman of the Committee on Aging and President of the Clear Lake Grange. Vern was preceded in death by his loving wife Carol, brothers Robert Peterson, Carl Peterson, and sister Florence Tarr. He is survived by his daughter Mary Lynn Peterson, son Todd (Dr. Ellen McCarthy), daughter Beth (Jim) Savre, and four beautiful grandchildren: Alexandra and William Savre and Robert and John Peterson; brother Edwin (Joyce) Peterson, sister-in-law Trudi Peterson, sister-in-law Linda (Gary) Sornsen and many nieces and nephews. Services will be held Saturday, February 4 at 11 a.m. at GracePoint Church, 2351 Rice Creek Road, New Brighton, MN, with a one-hour visitation preceding. Memorials can be made to Bethel University, St. Paul, MN or Glen Community Church, Glen, MN.

Published on January 29, 2023