Joshua Peterson, 45, Waseca
Josh Peterson age 45, of Waseca, died on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at 616 9th Ave. NW in Waseca. Visitation will be on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022 from 12 to 1 p.m. at the New Hope Lutheran Church, Comfrey and will continue on from until at the church. Service will be held at the New Hope Lutheran Church, Comfrey, on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022 at 1 p.m. The clergy will be Pastor Julie Smith. Interment will be at the New Hope Faith Lutheran Cemetery in Comfrey. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com. Joshua Jin Soo Peterson, age 45, of Waseca, went to be with his Savior on Aug. 2, 2022. He passed away at his ICAN group home in Waseca from thymus cancer.
Joshua was born on Oct. 24, 1976 in Seoul, South Korea. His birth name was Jin Soo Chung. Josh arrived in the United States to Irving and Zella Peterson on Jan. 17, 1977. He was baptized at United Lutheran Church in Frost, Minn. He lived in Frost until age 9 on the Peterson family farm. The family then moved to Comfrey, and he was confirmed there at Salem Lutheran Church. At age 16, another move was made to Blooming Prairie, where he graduated high school in 1995.
Josh enjoyed fishing, playing basketball, rollerblading, going to movies, food, and hanging out with friends and family. He especially enjoyed being uncle to his 10 nieces and nephews. Josh also liked watching sports, and his favorite teams were UNC, Timberwolves and the Bengals.
On March 15, 2008, Josh was married to Vida Hierlmaier in New Richland. They enjoyed one year of marriage before his accident in April 2009 that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Contrary to expectations, he miraculously survived and continued to improve throughout the years. He eventually moved to Waseca into a group home managed by ICAN. He thrived on the activities and social functions provided by the ICAN community. Some of his highlights included the Special Olympics, talent shows, and finding dates. He even titled himself the “Asian Persuasion” for the local paper. When Josh wasn’t entertaining a room full of people with his silly antics and smart remarks, he could be found with his iPod in hand listening to music and singing along. Josh leaves behind his three sisters, Andrea (Troy) Toll of Comfrey, Jana (Jared) Anderson of Willmar, Megan (Gabe) Hirsch of Comfrey; brother-in-law, Matt Nase of Lake Crystal; 10 nieces and nephews: Lexi, Jordan, Ashton, and Elliana Toll, Olivia, Nolan and Evan Nase, and Eli, Miles, and Collin Hirsch; aunts and uncles: Muriel (Darrel) Klenz of Fairmont, Alice Peterson of Evans, Ga., Frances Vivant of McGrath, Julie Weiss of Hampton, Gene (Roberta) Vivant of Inver Grove Heights, Ronald (Linda) Vivant of Hampton, Fred (Colleen) Vivant of Northfield; and 27 cousins.
He is preceded in death by his mother Zella Peterson, father Irving Peterson, sister Alisa Nase, grandparents Godwin and Mabel Peterson, and Fred and Iwylla Vivant, aunt Vivian Jelle, uncles Gordon Peterson, Lloyd Vivant, Ron Weiss, and cousins infant Jelle, Elizabeth Weiss, and Andrew Weiss.