Pastor Brad J. Peterson, age 58, of Mitchell, SD died February 16, 2010 at his home. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday February 20, 2010 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mitchell with burial at Mound Cemetery, Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel.

Bradley James Peterson was born January 4, 1952 in Ortonville, MN to Ruben T. Peterson and Lydia Rose Christina Johnson Peterson. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. He attended and graduated from Ortonville High School in 1970 and then from Southwest State College in Marshall, MN in 1973.

Graduation from college led Brad on a journey to Colorado that summer looking for employment. The journey came full circle and he ended up looking for social work in Minneapolis. He took employment with Holly Stores, working in Kmart. Brad worked throughout the cities and in Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI areas. He lived and worked in Kenosha, WI and was to be transferred to Springfield, IL. He followed his heart and went to seminary at Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary. He worked all during seminary and learned many things he would use later in the ministry. His internship was held in Grace Lutheran in Franklin, PA. Brad graduated from Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary in May of 1979.

May of 1979 was a busy time with graduation and then being married to Joan L. Thompson on May 19, 1979. They journeyed to Alexandria and participated in a wedding on the way to ordination in Moorhead. Brad was ordained at Synod Convention June 8, 1979 in evening worship.

Brad and Jo enjoyed the challenge and blessing of a first parish, Sunne Lutheran, in rural Wilton, ND. Brad had two aunts living in Minot, ND who were the family they could go to. Many friendships were built and enjoyed there. A highlight of living in Wilton was the birth of Aaron Peterson. They ministered until 1986, when he received a call to Webster, SD.

He served at American Lutheran Church in Webster, SD from 1986 to 2000. It was a long term call that was filled with all types of experiences, including family, community, parish and growing in general relationships. It was a place that included dealing with the floods and stories that came with it. We were able to watch so many families grow.

In 2000, Brad was called to serve Nathanael Lutheran, Alcestor, SD from 2000 to 2004. This was a time of learning and leadership. The church went through serious remodeling and was good space for worship and learning. The church was also involved through Pastor Brad in doing extensive leadership training, utilizing the staff from USD.

In 2004 Trinity Lutheran Church in Mitchell, SD called Brad to be pastor. Aaron was married to Lindsey. It was the place that Brad would have bypass surgery and Jo diagnosed with MS. Later Brad found out he had cancer in the brain and this led to our being here today.

Brad was involved always in the community he was serving. He was involved in clubs and organizations such as Lions, Kiwanis, Ministerial Associations, Needs Anonymous, Thrift Store and Synod committees.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Joan, Mitchell, SD; a son, Aaron (Lindsey) Peterson, Highland Ranch, CO; three brothers, Kenneth (Shirley) Peterson, Garrison, MN, Robert Peterson, Columbia Heights, MN, Charles Peterson, Fridley, MN; four sisters, Delores (Jim) Strege, Ortonville, MN, Carol (Lowell) Gemsey, Burnsville, MN, Joanne (Steve) Carlson, Fridley, MN, Joyce Peterson, Blaine, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Keith; and a sister, Janet.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are prefered so the family may distibute as Brad's requests.