Rev. Gary D. Peterson
Gary Dale Peterson was born May 5, 1937 in Moline, IL to Mr. & Mrs. E. K. Peterson. He was baptized at Svea Lutheran parsonage on Sept 3, 1937 and confirmed on May 25, 1952 at First Lutheran Church in Red Wing, MN.
His elementary education was acquired in the public schools of Red Wing and Burnside, MN. He graduated from Central High School in Red Wing, MN in June of 1955. Pastor Peterson attended the University of Houston, Houston, TX and Luther College, Decorah, IA from which he graduated in May, 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. At Luther College his major study was English, and minor studies were in Greek and German.
In September of 1959 Gary enrolled into Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN. His year of internship (1961-62) was spent at St. Paul Lutheran church, Beloit, WI. He graduated from Luther Theological Seminary in May, 1963 with a degree of Bachelor of Divinity and was ordained at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Beloit, WI. He accepted a call to serve West Koshkonong Lutheran Church, Stoughton, WI and succeeded the Revered Henry Thompson., starting July 17, 1963.
He was married to Mary Louise Winkler, on January 26, 1958 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waupun, WI. Pastor Gary and Mary Peterson have 5 children.
Pastor Peterson and Mary left Stoughton to accept a call at United Lutheran Church in Red Wing, MN and served that church from 1967-1970.
In 1970 he returned to school, attending the University of Edinburgh in Scotland receiving his Doctorate in Theology in 1973. The whole family moved to Edinburgh while Pastor Peterson was attending the University there. In 1974 he returned to Eden Prairie, MN, serving Emmanuel Lutheran Church until 1981. In 1984 he was elected Mayor of Eden Prairie, MN and held that position until 1990. The next 10 years (1990-2000) Pastor Peterson worked for the ELCA out of Chicago, as the Educational Program Director for U.S. colleges and seminaries in Mexico City, Mexico. Mary taught school at the American School Foundation in Mexico City. Pastor Peterson really loved politics and when he returned to Red Wing, MN he was elected to the City Council from 2004-2008.
When returning to the United States they enjoyed spending time on their houseboat on the St. Croix River in Afton, Minnesota. They used the houseboat as a cabin and were able to use it the year around to relax and spend time playing with their 12 grandchildren.
Pastor Peterson passed on to another dimension on July 11, 2008.
His elementary education was acquired in the public schools of Red Wing and Burnside, MN. He graduated from Central High School in Red Wing, MN in June of 1955. Pastor Peterson attended the University of Houston, Houston, TX and Luther College, Decorah, IA from which he graduated in May, 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. At Luther College his major study was English, and minor studies were in Greek and German.
In September of 1959 Gary enrolled into Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN. His year of internship (1961-62) was spent at St. Paul Lutheran church, Beloit, WI. He graduated from Luther Theological Seminary in May, 1963 with a degree of Bachelor of Divinity and was ordained at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Beloit, WI. He accepted a call to serve West Koshkonong Lutheran Church, Stoughton, WI and succeeded the Revered Henry Thompson., starting July 17, 1963.
He was married to Mary Louise Winkler, on January 26, 1958 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waupun, WI. Pastor Gary and Mary Peterson have 5 children.
- Paul was born in 1959, is married and has 3 children and 2 grandchildren. Paul lives in Minnesota.
- Mary Janis was born on 1961, died in 1963 and is buried here at West Koshkonong Cemetery.
- Erik was born in 1963 is married and lives in Idaho, has 2 children.
- Marcus was born in 1965, lives in Minnesota, is married and has 5 children and 1 grandchild.
- Marni was born in 1969, lives in North Carolina, is married with 2 children.
Pastor Peterson and Mary left Stoughton to accept a call at United Lutheran Church in Red Wing, MN and served that church from 1967-1970.
In 1970 he returned to school, attending the University of Edinburgh in Scotland receiving his Doctorate in Theology in 1973. The whole family moved to Edinburgh while Pastor Peterson was attending the University there. In 1974 he returned to Eden Prairie, MN, serving Emmanuel Lutheran Church until 1981. In 1984 he was elected Mayor of Eden Prairie, MN and held that position until 1990. The next 10 years (1990-2000) Pastor Peterson worked for the ELCA out of Chicago, as the Educational Program Director for U.S. colleges and seminaries in Mexico City, Mexico. Mary taught school at the American School Foundation in Mexico City. Pastor Peterson really loved politics and when he returned to Red Wing, MN he was elected to the City Council from 2004-2008.
When returning to the United States they enjoyed spending time on their houseboat on the St. Croix River in Afton, Minnesota. They used the houseboat as a cabin and were able to use it the year around to relax and spend time playing with their 12 grandchildren.
Pastor Peterson passed on to another dimension on July 11, 2008.