Clarence Frederick Peterson, Sr.

Clarence Peterson of Rush City passed away Thursday, September 7, 2017 at Lakeside Health and Rehab Center in Pine City at the age of 86. Born to Lawrence and Helen Peterson July 22, 1931 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Clarence then grew up on the family farm near Goose Creek in the village of Harris. Clarence enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1950 and proudly served in both Korea and Viet Nam Wars.  He retired as a First Lieutenant after 30 years in the Infantry and a survivor of the Chosin Reservoir Campaign.  Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, Chosin also called Changjin, campaign early in the Korean War, part of the Chinese Second Offensive (November–December 1950) to drive the United Nations out of North Korea. The Chosin Reservoir campaign was directed mainly against the 1st Marine Division of the U.S. X Corps, which had disembarked in eastern North Korea and moved inland in severe winter weather to a mountainous area near the reservoir. The campaign succeeded in forcing the entire X Corps to evacuate to South Korea, but the Chinese did not achieve their particular objective of isolating and destroying the 1st Marine Division. Instead, in a deliberate retrograde movement that has become one of the most-storied exploits in Marine Corps lore, the Marines turned and fought their way down a narrow vulnerable road through several mountain passes and a bridged chasm until they reached transport ships waiting at the coast. After his retirement in 1969, Clarence worked in construction and was a member of the Laborers Union Local # 563 for 20 years.  At one point, Clarence owned and operated “Pete’s Water and Sewer” which operated mainly in the Minneapolis area.    A longtime, faithful member of the First Lutheran Church of Harris, Clarence also joined Jasper Masonic Lodge and the Grothe-Jacobson VFW in Rush City and served in different capacities.     Clarence is survived by his wife Betty Peterson of Rush City; children Priscilla (John) Adams of Brainerd, Donna (Brad) Stellmach of Rush City, Paul (Judy) Peterson of Chanhassen, David Peterson of Rush City; grandchildren Danny Smuder of Rush City, Beth (Jamie) Kempf of Harris, Amy (Travis) Huntley of Cambridge, Megan (Scott) Lundequam of Lake Elmo, Scotty (Amanda) Peterson of Cologne, Amber Peterson and Marissa Peterson both of Chanhassen; six great-grandchildren; siblings Bill (Carol) Peterson of St. Francis, Betty (Dixon) Skjod of East Bethel, Donna Weber of Minneapolis, George Peterson of Lawler, Ronny (Chris) Peterson of Washington state; sisters-in-law Theresa Peterson of St. Paul, Alma Peterson of California and Caron Peterson of Andover; many nieces and nephews. Clarence is preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Helen Peterson; son Fred Peterson; siblings Larry Peterson, Bob Peterson and Gene Peterson; sister Genevieve Harer. Reverend Caroline Harthun-Wooldridge will officiate at funeral services for Clarence:  10 AM Tuesday (9-12-17) at the First Lutheran Church of Harris.  A gathering of family and friends is planned Monday 5-7 PM with a Masonic Service at 7 PM at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City and also 1 hour prior to the service at the church.  Clarence will be interred with military honors at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis at 1:30 PM Tuesday;  Meet at assembly area 6 for processional to committal site. Memorials in Clarence’s honor may be given to the: Alzheimer’s Foundation 7900 West 78th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55439or Jasper Masonic Lodge, 155 West 4th Street, Rush City, Minnesota 55069.Funeral arrangements for Mr. Clarence Peterson-Retired Marine Corps;  are entrusted to the:  Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City, Olson Chapel.   www.FuneralAndCremationService.com