Russell Millard Petersen

On August eighteenth, 1944, Russell Millard Petersen was born to Rose and Millard Petersen of Kellogg, Minnesota, and Omaha, Nebraska. While he was growing up, Russ’s family worked hard on their family farm south of Kellogg, Minnesota, during the summers. The children were mostly educated in Omaha, NE. During high school, Russell began dating the girl who lived across the alley, and eventually married Pam Stefanko, his Omaha North High School sweetheart, after she graduated. In those days, Russell served in the U. S. Army and worked as a helicopter mechanic during the Vietnam War. The couple traveled to France, where they became pregnant with their first child, Brenda, who was quickly followed by Bonnie, Tammy and Tina. After receiving an honorable discharge, Russell opened “Russ’s Apco Service” in Omaha. In 1976, he moved his business to Winona, Minnesota. Like himself, Kevin was born in Wabasha, MN. The family of seven resided on a section of the original farm.
Above all else, Russ possessed a strong work ethic and supported his family by working 12 hour days, six days a week, at his service stations. Sundays were always spent doing something fun with his family. He most enjoyed bowling, fishing, rollerskating, square dancing, boating, and seeing movies.
Russ worked at Crenlo in Rochester, Minnesota, for seventeen years after he closed his service stations. He also worked for a time at the Winona Armory.
After his children grew up and moved away, Russ enjoyed visiting county fairs and watching tractor pulls, driving to the North Shore to enjoy the scenery in Duluth/Grand Marais, and fixing things on the farm. He developed a heart condition that required him to slow down for the first time in his life. Learning to slow down and accept help from others was likely his most difficult of life’s lessons. But once he did, it was clear to everyone that the change that came over him could only be attributed to God. There was a peacefulness and quietness about him that hadn’t been there before. Russ was a good and generous father, son, husband, friend, employer, brother and grandfather. Although his final years were wrought with painful health complications, his passing was very quick, and he would have considered that a blessing. He leaves behind his wife, Pam; daughters Brenda, Bonnie (Tony), Tammy, Tina (Corey); son, Kevin (Kristi); ten grandchildren, siblings, Sonja (TX), Richard (MN) and Wayne (NE); nieces, nephews.
 A funeral service was held on Friday, November 3, 2017 at 11:00am at Abbott Funeral Home in Wabasha with Pastor Paul Langmade officiating. Interment was at Greenfield Cemetery in rural Kellogg. Military rites were performed by the Wabasha American Legion Post #50, the Kellogg American Legion Post #546, the Burkhardt-Roemer VFW Post #4086 and the MNARNG Honor Guard. Family and friends called at the Abbott Funeral Home on Thursday from 6-8pm and one hour before the service on Friday. The Abbott Funeral Home of Wabasha was in charge of arrangements. www.abbottfh.com