Gordon Ellsworth Peterson

Gordon Ellsworth Peterson, 92, of Hawley, MN, died Friday, April 29, 2022, at Viking Manor in Ulen, MN.

Gordon was born August 11, 1929 to Leigh and Ida (Bordahlen) Peterson in Atlanta Township, Ulen, MN.  The family moved to Hawley in 1933 where he grew up and attended school at District 107 and Hitterdal High School.  On September 19, 1948, he was united in marriage to Gladys Sorum and they had 6 children.  Gordon spent most of his working life in sales and sales management.  His first job was as a meat cutter for McDonald’s Meats in Moorhead, MN.  He then went on to work as a life insurance agent for American Family Insurance, sales manager for Fuller Brush Company, and retired at the age of 62 selling life insurance for a company out of Minneapolis, MN.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Gordon enjoyed spending time with his family.  Many fond memories were made in the hunting shack and in various lake cabins the family would rent in the summer months.  Gordon loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and gardener.  He enjoyed canning and in later years, baking wonderful treats for his family and friends.  Gordon and Gladys both loved having rummage sales at their home and visiting with all those who would stop by.  In retirement, Gordon was able to pursue his hobby of writing poetry, much of which was published in the Hawley Herald, and he also wrote an ongoing column for the Christian Connection in Hawley.

Gordon is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Gladys; his children, Arvid Peterson, Elaine Tryznka and Roger Peterson, and siblings, Bud, Denver, Milan and Jeanette.

He is survived by his children, Gary Peterson, Wayne Peterson and Linda (John) Newland, all of Hawley; grandchildren, Ben (Traci) Lofgren, Beau (Tonia) Lofgren, Jacob Lofgren, Robert Binning, Christina (Jesse) Zumpf, Alexander Peterson, Jessica Schweiner and Tara Peterson; numerous great-grandchildren; his brother, Claire (Ardy) Peterson, of Moorhead;  sister-in-law, Joyce Peterson, Billings, MT, and sister-in-law, Margaret Luthie, of Dilworth, MN.

Funeral service: Thursday, May 5, 2022, at 2:00 P.M., with visitation from 1-2 P.M., at Hawley Lutheran Church. Interment: Hawley Cemetery. Livestream of the service and online guestbook can be found at www.wrightfuneral.com.