Dr. Palmer A. Peterson

Peterson, Dr. Palmer A. passed away on May 6, 2012 at age 95. He and his wife Lois resided in Burnsville, MN for 41 years. Palmer was born February 18, 1917 to Peter and Aletta (Lee) Peterson and grew up on a farm in Cashton, Wisconsin. Growing up, he enjoyed working on the farm, playing pond hockey, downhill skiing and fishing in the valleys while listening to the birds sing, especially the song sparrow. He graduated from Cashton High School in May 1935. During his four years at the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse, Palmer majored in science and secondary education and earned his way through undergraduate school. He was a member of the Science Club, Astronomy Club, and Speech Club and was Student Council President. Following graduation, he taught high school chemistry, physics, and biology in Monticello and Mankato. Concerned with the toxicity of cigarettes while teaching in 1939-1940, he did original experiments on the harmful effects of nicotine on living tissues. As a Scout Master in Monticello, he presented six Eagle Scouts at a Minneapolis Council Court of Honor. In 1942, Palmer enlisted in the Navy and was indoctrinated from the Philadelphia Naval Hospital. He was assigned to the Jacksonville Florida Naval Hospital to establish the Naval School of Physical Therapy for Technicians and Navy Trainees. He created the training curriculum for enlistees who were subsequently sent to serve in the naval hospitals, battleships, and aircraft carriers. During this period of duty, Palmer was accepted for medical school and was assigned to the University of Marquette Medical School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated with scholastic honors in 1947. In 1952, he completed his Surgical Fellowship at the University of Minnesota and began his general surgical practice in Bloomington, Minnesota. Over the next 50 years, he worked at the Mayo Clinic Physical Therapy Department, the University of Minnesota Hospital Cancer Detection Center and Northwestern, St. Barnabas, Eitel, Lutheran Deaconess and Riverside Hospitals. In reviewing his record, it was found that he never had a surgical patient expire during surgery or experience a life threatening complication. Palmer retired in 1997 and was given a 50 Year Medical Practice Award by the State of Minnesota. Palmer was affectionately known to his patients and friends as "Dr. Pete", and treated each patient as if they were his only one. He always had plenty of time for his patients and great compassion for them. He enjoyed travels all around Europe, Russia, and Norway in the 1960's. His fishing trips to Canada always produced great "fish stories". In later years, he liked soaking up the sunshine in Florida, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. As a result of his country life as a child, Palmer became intensely interested and developed a fervent love of the natural world. Palmer was passionate about the environment, energy conservation and saving wildlife. He greatly enjoyed his natural backyard and feeding and observing the birds and animals. In 2006, he established a 20 acre nature preserve in perpetuity as a tribute to his parents and grandparents. The land was part of their Wisconsin pioneer farm established in 1866. He was very proud of his 100% Norwegian heritage and family genealogy. To honor this legacy, Palmer initiated the call to descendants for a Benrud family memorial. This memorial became a restored pioneer church that now stands at Norskedalen, a Norwegian heritage and nature center, near Coon Valley, Wisconsin. Palmer is preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Alette (Lee) Peterson; siblings, Elnora (age 3), Lillian (Paul) Halverson, Mabel (Theodore) Bolles, Milford (Genevieve) Peterson, and Hilmer (Frances) Peterson. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Lois (Kuenzel) Peterson, their daughter, Paula (Casey) O'Keefe and granddaughter, Kayla of Burnsville. He is survived by son, Brent Peterson of Naples, FL; daughter, Sheri Peterson of Fort Myers, FL; and Brad (Sandra) Peterson of Murphys, CA; grandchildren, Robert and Karlee Peterson; Sarah (Scott) LeMaster and Hilary (Seth) Hayden; and great-grandchildren, Skylar, Shane and Scottie LeMaster and Sophia Hayden. Sincere thanks to the professional and dedicated staff at Highview Hills in Lakeville, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center, P.O. Box 235, Coon Valley, WI, 54623, North Coon Prairie Lutheran Church, S470 Sunrise Road, Cashton, WI, 54619, or Mount Olivet Retreat and Nature Center. Funeral service Saturday, May 12, 10:30 AM with visitation 1/2 hour prior at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, 50th and Knox Avenue South, Minneapolis. Interment Lakewood Cemetery. Visitation also Friday 4-7 PM at the: www.Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 West 50th St. & Hwy 100

Tributes

Dr. Palmer A. Peterson

May 8, 2012

Tributes

Dr. Palmer A. Peterson

May 8, 2012

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