James E. Peterson

James E. Peterson, age 98, of Hendricks, MN, passed away on Monday, August 11, 2025 at the Hendricks Community Hospital Nursing Home in Hendricks, MN. Funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, August 19th at the Faith Lutheran Brethren Church in Hendricks, MN. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11:00am, prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Wood Lake Lutheran Cemetery, rural Astoria, SD. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel of Hendricks, MN has been entrusted with the arrangements.
James Ellsworth Peterson was born in Hendricks, Minnesota on December 16, 1926, to Eddie and Nellie (Knutson) Peterson, at the Hendricks Hospital the year it opened. He began his life living on a farm in Deuel County, South Dakota. James went to Lakeview school for grades 1-8, graduating in 1941. Though he spoke only Norwegian when he entered school, he learned to read and write English quickly. James graduated from Astoria High School in 1945 and the South Dakota School of Agriculture in 1948 (now SDSU). James returned to farming with his father on the family farm. He enjoyed working with his dad, uncles and cousins. When the Korean War began, James was drafted into the service in 1950. Basic Training began at Camp Cooke, California. The 40th Division moved on to Japan for its Advanced Training and then into Korea where they were placed on the 38th parallel. While there, James served as B Battery Radio Section Chief, returning home in October 1952. He was active in the Astoria Legion for 67 years. James served as bugler from 1954 until 2019 for the Legion.
For all his life, James had a deep and steady faith in God. Devotions and prayer were a part of his daily routine. He treated others with kindness, patience, goodness and gentleness. Bible Study and fellowship with others were an important part of his life into his later years. James was baptized and confirmed at Wood Lake Lutheran Church until it closed. He served on the Council, taught Sunday School, sang in the Wood Lake Choir and demonstrated leadership as Sunday School Superintendent. For many years, James & Caroline took care of the church cemetery and lawn.
James married Caroline Gulbraa in 1957. To this union, three daughters were born. Kathryn Marie, Betty Ellen, and Jane Caroline. James taught them to drive tractors, stack bales, raise cattle, play basketball, softball and football. He encouraged them to work hard and play hard. James set the greatest example of fatherhood by being a supportive, loving and fun dad. On school mornings, he could be found making oatmeal for them and having his morning devotions. Kathy, Betty & Jane will always remember how completely in love, devoted and supportive James was to their mom. When James became a grandfather, he had such fun with the two girls and eight boys. So many great memories were made on the farm, especially riding with Grandpa in his truck or on the garden tractor. Always fun and patient, Grandpa James made every grandchild feel so loved. He was thrilled to live long enough to know eight great-grandchildren.
When James and Caroline moved to Hendricks in 1995, they continued to create a home where friends and family were welcome and wonderful memories were made. James immersed himself in town life, volunteering at the Hospital and Nursing Home, driving people to appointments, fixing items at the Thrift Shop and enjoying his woodworking interests. Besides the Wood Lake Cemetery, James mowed several other lawns in the summer. He always enjoyed working outdoors.
When asked what he valued most in life, James said, "Faith and family is most important to me. I love all my girls so much and my wife even more. My work in the church was a joy. I enjoyed singing, photography, movie making and watching those home movies with my family. Traveling to other states and countries was also a highlight. When I went into the service, I was grateful to have my faith in God. It was God in and with me that made things good and hopeful."
James will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. His artistic spirit, hard work ethic, gentle nature, and trust in Jesus shaped his life. Grateful to have shared his life are his daughters, Kathy (David) Hunstad of Moorhead, MN and their children Eli, Nels, and Bjorn; Betty (Greg) Durst of Tempe, AZ and their children Jenna (David) Biederbeck, Joshua (Julia) Durst, Jonathan (Meaghan) Durst, and James (Kaleigh) Durst; Jane (Scott) Hannemann of Sioux Falls, SD and their children Luke (Meg) Hannemann, Alex (fiancee' Allie) Hannemann, and Will Hannemann; and great-grandchildren Ren, Rachel, Emily, Ben, Kinley, Delaney, Perry, Olivia, and one more to arrive this fall; and his beloved double cousin, Joan Nelson. James was preceded in death by his wife, Caroline; his parents, Eddie and Nellie; and one infant brother, Rueben.
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