Kenneth Peterson

Kenneth Herbert Peterson passed away with his wife by his side, on Tuesday afternoon, September 2, 2008, at the Three Links Care Center in Northfield, at the age of 83.

Kenneth was born December 18, 1924 in St Paul, Minn., the son of Olaf and Edith (Nelson) Peterson. Kenneth graduated from St Paul Central High School in 1943 and served in the US Army from 1943 to 1946. After his Army service, Kenneth studied under renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright as part of the Taliesin Fellowship in Spring Green, WI and Scottsdale, AZ from 1947 through 1948. After this apprenticeship, Kenneth returned to school, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952 and a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1955, both from the University of Minnesota.

Kenneth met his wife, Rachel, through the Twin Cities Lutheran Young Adults in 1957; they were married June 14, 1959 in St Paul. Kenneth and Rachel moved to Northfield in 1961 where they raised their two children, Brian and Maria.

Kenneth applied his architectural training through his employment with SMSQ Architects in Northfield from 1958 to 1991. Kenneth designed numerous houses, churches, schools and other buildings throughout his career. Some of the projects included the Peterson residence, additions to St John’s Lutheran Church, the Jensen residence, the Brust residence, the Maas residence (all in Northfield), the Yäckel residence (Circle Pines, MN), and a vacation home aptly named "Listening Point" on the water’s edge of the north shore of Lake Superior (Tofte, MN).

Kenneth’s professional memberships included the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and the National Construction Specifications Review Committee. He received several awards for architectural specifications from the CSI.

Kenneth was an active member of St John’s Lutheran Church since moving to Northfield in 1961. He and wife Rachel were members of the Fair-bow-si-do square dance group for 12 years, and Kenneth sang as a tenor in the Troubadors men’s chorus for 7 years. Kenneth enjoyed family trips in the US, to Japan, central Europe, Norway and Great Britain.

Kenneth died from complications relating to Parkinson’s Disease. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Carl. Kenneth is survived by his wife Rachel Peterson of Northfield, son Brian Peterson (wife Karen) of St Paul, daughter Maria Peterson (husband Ken Boyer) of Belmont, CA and sister Alice Wentz of Northfield.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, September 8, 2008, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield with Rev. Paul Mathre and Rev. John E. Quam officiating. Music will be provided by Ruth Ferguson Janet White, and the Northfield Troubadors. Lunch will follow. Interment with military honors will be in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Honorary casket bearers will be Dick Dahlin, John Evenson, Paul Peterson, Judd Lemke, Ed Youngquist, Dixon Bond, Wendell Arneson and Ed Sovik. Visitation will be 5-7 PM Sunday, September 7, 2008, at the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home in Northfield.

Memorials are preferred to St. John’s Lutheran Church, the Three Links Care Center Pastoral Fund or the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.