Willis "Bill" Delano Peterson

Willis "Bill" Peterson of Cambridge passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2024 at Ecumen of North Branch at the age of 90.

Willis Delano Peterson was born on November 3, 1933 to Hilding and Blanche (Osell) Peterson in Harris, Minnesota. He attended grade school in Harris, high school in North Branch, and college at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Bill married Elaine Swanson in 1957 and they had 4 children. He began working for Keebler Co. in 1952 while going to college. In 1954 he was drafted into the Army. He served as the training NCO for the 65th AAA in Okinawa. Upon his discharge, he went back to Keebler Co. and went into Sales. He was promoted to Sales Manager in 1963. After 38 years at Keebler he retired and moved to the lake home on Goose Lake near Harris.

In 1964, he joined the Masons, Scottish Rite and the Shrine. His 2 daughters became active in Jobs daughters and his 2 sons were active in DeMolay. Bill was Associate Guardian for Jobs daughters and was an Advisor for DeMolay. He was also the President of the local Boy Scout troop and was a Webelo Leader.

While in the Shrine, he held many positions. He joined the Legion of Honor and was both Captain and Commander. He held numerous offices in the Shrine over the many years, interfacing with multiple Shrine Clubs, and was also on the Shrine Board of Trustees. In 1998 he was elected as the Zuhrah Shrine Potentate. He was active with the Shrine for 60 years.

After his retirement from Keebler in 1990, he drove school bus for North Branch schools for 8 years, and then started teaching Driver Safety classes in Rush City for the next 12 years.

Bill is survived by his significant other Theresa Pearson; sons Steve Peterson (Jenny),  Mike (Stacey) Peterson; son-in-law Larry Schlagel (Bonnie); grandchildren Ryan (Lindsay) Schlagel, Jamie (Zach) Dingmann, Jordan (Anna) Shearer, Sam (Charsi) Shearer, Jenna (Austin) Grazier, Jason (Alexandria) Peterson, Austin (Emma) Peterson, Logan Peterson, Mikala Peterson; step-grandchildren Emily (Nate) Sleck, David Ruthven; great-grandchildren Jackson Schlagel, Julia Schlagel, Weston Shearer, Wade Shearer, Paxton Sleck, Rowan Sleck, Salem Peterson; brother-in-law Vern Reideger; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hilding and Blanche Peterson; wife Elaine Peterson; daughters Lori Schlagel, Joni (Dan) Shearer; grandson Alex Peterson; siblings Wendall (Harriet) Peterson, Eleanor (Dale) Erickson, Alden (Joyce) Peterson, Vernie (Ruth) Peterson, Don Peterson, Arvin (Harlean) Peterson, Dorene Reideger. 

Pastor Andy Romstad will officiate at Bill's funeral service: 11 AM; Monday April 8, 2024 at the Cambridge Lutheran Church in Cambridge. A time of visitation and reviewal is planned from 5-7:30 PM Sunday, April 7, 2024 with a Masonic Service at 7:30 PM at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City and additional visitation time one hour prior to the service at the church. The interment with military honors will take place in Oak Grove Cemetery, Harris at 2:15 PM.


Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel
www.FuneralAndCremationService.com