Curtis Arnold Petersen

Curtis Arnold Petersen, 90, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 18, 2026 at Mayo Clinic Hospital Saint Mary's Campus in Rochester, surrounded by his loving family.

Friends and family are invited to attend a graveside service for Curt at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 22, at the Alden Cemetery, Alden, MN. Family and friends are invited to gather with the family 30 minutes prior to the service for visitation. A simple graveside service was Curt's personal wish. Following the graveside service, family and friends are invited to continue celebrating Curt's life by enjoying one of his favorite simple joys, root beer floats lovingly served by his grandchildren in his memory. 

Curt was born on April 8,1936, to Arnold and Ardis (Jorgensen) Petersen. He grew up in the Alden area where he learned the values of faith, hard work, family, and community that would guide him throughout his life. He graduated from Alden High School in 1954 and later attended the University of Minnesota. Curt also proudly served in the National Guard. Throughout his life, Curt devoted much of his life to farming. He found joy in caring for the land, raising cattle, planting crops, and watching each season unfold through God's creation. Farming taught him patience, resilience, and gratitude, and he carried those values into every part of his life. Curt also worked at Wilson Co. in Albert Lea and Waste Management in Lake Mills.

In 1963, Curt and Eugenia (Hewitt) were united in marriage, and together they were blessed with four children: Kathy, Chris, Mark, and Michael. Together they raised their family on his farm in rural Alden. His wife, Eugenia, preceded him in death in 1988. 

Curt later met and married Mary Lou Anderson in 1989, and together they shared 36 wonderful years of marriage. Through this union, Curt was blessed with two additional children, Kevin and Debra along with one grandson. Together they enjoyed traveling, gardening, and spending time with family. One of the most meaningful experiences of Curt's life was traveling to Jerusalem with Mary and walking where the Lord walked, deepening the faith that guided his life every day.

Curt had an amazing love for the Lord and was a devoted Christian throughout his life. He was a member of the Lutheran Brotherhood, attended many Bible study groups, and enjoyed playing dartball for Redeemer Lutheran Church. Over the years, he worshipped at the Danish Lutheran Church in Alden, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Alden, Philadelphia Christian Church in Albert Lea, Crossroads Church in Albert Lea, Alden Methodist Church in Alden, and most recently attended church services and Bible studies at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community in Albert Lea.

His faith was woven into his everyday life. Curt treasured visits from pastors and chaplains, faithfully spent time in daily devotions, and found great comfort and strength in reading his Bible. His love for the Lord was evident in the way he lived, cared for others, and shared faith with those around him.

Curt also enjoyed life's simple pleasures. He loved watching sports, especially cheering on the Minnesota Twins. He enjoyed playing 500 cards with family and friends. He also never passed up the chance to enjoy a good root beer float, a treat that always brought a smile to his face. He also enjoyed spending time fishing, taking many fishing trips to Canada over the years with good friends, his sons, and his father. Above all else, Curt loved his family deeply. He treasured holiday gatherings, family meals, attending school and sporting events for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and celebrating life's special moments together.

He will be remembered for his unwavering faith in the Lord, his gentle spirit, strong work ethic, love of farming, devotion to family, and joy in life's simple pleasures. His kindness, wisdom, and steady presence will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include wife, Mary Petersen of Albert Lea, MN; daughter, Kathy Quinn of Albert Lea, MN; son, Chris Petersen of Alden, MN; son, Mark Petersen of Knoxville, IA; son, Michael (Linnea) Petersen of Alden, MN; Kevin (Jamie) Thomas of Shoreview, MN; Debra (Aaron) Goodell of Clarion, IA; grandchildren: Heather (Cole) of Austin, MN; Brittany Quinn of Albert Lea, MN; Jessica (Aaron) Raatz of Faribault, MN; Michael Quinn of Huntington Beach,CA; Danielle (Mason) Tanley of Mankato, MN; Larissa (Ethan) Van Kooten of Leighton, IA; Riley (Amy) Petersen of Sioux Falls, SD; Ali-Jean (Tyler) Lair of Hartland, MN; Tyler (Becca) Dreyer of Prior Lake, MN; Alex Dreyer (Makenzie Oldfather) of Mankato, MN; Wyatt (Holly) Thomas of Brooklyn Park, MN; great-grandchildren: Samantha Olson, Corey Olson, Taylee Olson, Ivory Van Kooten, Langston Van Kooten, Ellowyn Van Kooten, Baby Girl Petersen due in July, Aela Dreyer, Olivia Dreyer, Charlotte Dreyer, and Paetyn Dreyer; brother-in-law, Curtis Nelson; and sister-in-law, Nancy Murken. 

Curtis was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, wife, Eugenia Petersen, sister, Judy Nelson, brother-in-law, David Hewitt, and brother-in-law, Donald Hewitt, and infant grandson, Connor Thomas.

As we remember Curt, we find comfort in the words he cherished: "As I travel down the paths of life, I long for the journey's end, for my destination is with my Savior, resting in the arms of my Best Friend." Now, Curt is indeed in the arms of his Best Friend, at peace and forever loved. 

The livestream link below is a complimentary service provided by Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Service.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product.

Please note, if the livestream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.