Philip Ezra Petersen was born to the Rev. Adolph and Marie (Larsen) Petersen on February 9, 1939. He was received into the Lord’s kingdom of grace through Holy Baptism at First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brush, Colorado, baptized by his father. After his father joined the Army Air Corps (later renamed the US Army Air Forces), his family spent several years at army bases around the country before settling in Waupaca, Wisconsin. Phil was confirmed by his father at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on May 3, 1953. By God’s sustaining grace he remained in his baptismal grace all the days of his life.
Phil married Lana Louise Hoyord on June 8, 1962, also at Trinity in Waupaca, his father officiating. The Lord blessed them with four daughters and more than 33 years of marriage. After a seven-year battle with cancer, Lana was called to her eternal rest on January 30 th , 1994.
Phil met Mickey Pipkorn in 1999. They were married a year later September 3, 2000. The Lord blessed them with 22 years of marriage.
Phil’s generosity of spirit and servant heart showed itself as a teacher in elementary and middle school classrooms, as a driver and trainer in the safety programs of Greyhound Bus Lines, as a volunteer through many church and school outings and events, and as a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend. By God’s rich grace, the love of Christ has been clearly visible in Phil’s life, and through him, to so many others.
Phil’s soul was called from this world of sin and sorrow, sickness and pain to the glorious victory celebration in heaven on Saturday, May 6, 2023. By God’s sustaining grace he reached the age of 84 years.
Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Marie, his brothers Sam and Jon, and his wife Lana.
He leaves to mourn his passing his wife Mickey; his sister Miriam (Pete) Burrows; his sisters-in-law Jan Petersen and Amber Petersen; his daughters Beth (Tom) Wolf, Heidi (Tom) Groom, Linka (Dan) Schroeder, and Siri (Joel) Gawrisch; his stepchildren Brian (Bonnie) Pipkorn, John Pipkorn, Susan Pipkorn, and Sara (Kurt) Loewen; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on May 11 th , at Mt. Olive Evangelical Lutheran Church in Shakopee, Minnesota. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am. A memorial service will also be held at 11:30 am on May 12 th , at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Iola, Wisconsin. Phil’s mortal remains will be laid to rest following the memorial service in Iola, Wisconsin, at Zion Lutheran Cemetery of Iola to await the resurrection of all flesh.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be chosen by the family in keeping with ministries dear to Phil.
Memorials addressed to Phil Petersen Family can be mailed to Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 104 West First Street, Jordan, MN 55352.
They who die in the Lord are blessed from henceforth, even forevermore.
