Donald Petersburg, 89

Donald  Wayne Petersburg, 89, of Claremont, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018 at Traditions 2. 
 
He was born in Bristol Township, Worth County, Iowa, on Oct. 20, 1928, the son of Alfred and Alma (Gudvangen) Petersburg. He was baptized on Nov. 25, 1928 and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith on May 30, 1943.  
He attended Winona State for one year before transferring to the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities, where he received his degree in Private Business and Forestry. While attending school in the Twin Cities, he met Jennifer Chilson and the couple was married on July 5, 1952 in Spring Valley, Wisconsin. They lived in the Cities for a few months before moving to the family farm near Claremont, where they have spent their entire married life.  
 Donald was a farmer and also worked at OMC as a welder on the night shift. He was a devoted husband and father, providing for his family, and instilled his values in the lives of his children. He enjoyed work but still had time to play. 
Donald has been involved in Trinity Lutheran Church, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, worked for the Highway Department as a surveyor and as an Assessor for Dodge County, was an investor and builder of Hidden Creek Golf Course, and was involved with the Sons of Norway.  
Donald and Jennifer were able to enjoy a number of winters in Texas and Arizona together.
 He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, of Claremont; children, David (Carmen) Petersburg of Zumbrota, Catherine (Don) Sell of Cannon Falls, Cynthia (Wayne) Lidster of Dalhart, Texas, Donald (Dawn) Petersburg of Purcellville,Va., Michael Petersburg of Owatonna, and Mark (Deborah) Petersburg of Goddard, Kan.; grandchildren, Justin (Andrea) Petersburg, Erin Petersburg, William (Adea) Sell, Dr. Jennifer (Michael) Forsyth, Robert Sell, Lori (Evan) Dewey, Kelly (Stephen) Choate, Cody (Meghan) Lidster, Erik Petersburg, Brandon Petersburg, Shannon Petersburg, Lisa Petersburg, Andrew Petersburg, Laura Petersburg and Hannah Petersburg, and 19 great-grandchildren.
 He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Alma, and brothers, Alfred Duane Petersburg and Richard Wesley Petersburg.
 A funeral service was scheduled for Feb. 27 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna, with Rev. Amanda Weinkauf officiating.  
Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna.
Michaelson Funeral Homes, Inc.
P.O. Box 482, 1930 Austin Road, 
Owatonna, MN  55060    
(507) 451-7943