Obituary for Blake Peterson

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji, MN with a visitation one hour prior. 

Blake was born on December 10, 1936, in Clearbrook to Donald and Olga (Hulteen) Peterson. He graduated from Clearbrook High School in 1954 and enlisted in the Navy, serving in Korea on the U.S.S. Murrelet. He married Janice Diane Lewis on October 6, 1956. They were married 62 years until her death in 2019. After his discharge from service in 1957, Blake and Jan moved to Gilby, ND, and then to Red Lake Falls, Roseau, Mankato, and Andover before moving back to Clearbrook. They lived on their farm for many years, where the grandkids have their best memories with Grandpa and Grandma. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren. Blake graduated from NDSU in 1963 and completed a Master’s in Education from the University of Minnesota in 1986.  He worked at the college farm at NDSU, then as a teacher at Midway High school in Gilby, before working 30 years in Extension Service for the University of Minnesota as an agricultural instructor. He had the opportunity to travel to Grenada, St. Thomas, St. Lucia and Poland to work with local farmers. Blake received the National Achievement Award for Agricultural Extension Agent in the 1980s.

Blake and Jan were longtime members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Clearbrook. Blake always enjoyed being outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, and gardening. He often volunteered his knowledge and expertise to help local gardeners and farmers of all levels. He also loved reading, spending time with his family and was an avid sports fan. An engaging storyteller, Blake loved sharing stories with family and friends as well as telling jokes to make others laugh. He charmed everyone he met with his sharp wit and sense of humor. A strong supporter of all veterans, he was quick to engage and visit with other veterans he encountered, always grateful for their service.

Blake is survived by his brother Duane (Marjorie) Peterson of Minneapolis; his children: Deb (Mark) Nelson of Palouse, WA, Jeffrey Peterson Lewis of Barcelona, Spain, Natalee (Paul) Dwyer of Hibbing, and Suzie (Rick) Alsen of Montrose; grandchildren: Matthew Dwyer of Hibbing, Natasha (Jud) Meyer of Watertown, Becky (Jason) Lunger of Spokane, WA, Rachel (Glen) Nelson of Pullman, WA, Nick (Bethany) Dwyer of Eveleth, Blake (Julia) Alsen of Clearwater,  Joe (Makayla) Dwyer of Collegeville, Amelia Alsen of Monticello, Lara Dwyer of Hibbing, Gauge Alsen, Chase Alsen, and Nikiya Alsen of Montrose; and great-grandchildren Addy and Finn Meyer of Watertown.

Blake was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Olga Peterson, his wife Jan Peterson, and his sister Yvonne Ingalls and brother-in-law George Ingalls.

The family would like to thank the staff of Sanford Health Windsong Bemidji for their care while Blake lived there and his hospice team for their compassion and care during his final days. He will be greatly missed.

Messages of condolence may be left at www.ceasefuneralhome.com