Pastor Carmen Peterson

Pastor Carmen Dennis Peterson, age 83 of Woodville, retired Zion Lutheran Clergy, died peacefully Friday September 1, 2017 at the Parkview Community Campus in Woodville. Pastor Carmen was born June 14, 1934 in Williston, ND; the son of Carsten Peterson and Clara Solfest Peterson. He was raised in Williston graduating from Williston High School. He later graduated from Concordia College- Moorhead in 1956 with a BA degree in English and Philosophy. During this time (1959), He loved teaching English, for one year in the public school in Crosby, ND.

Following his desire to follow Jesus, he graduated from Luther Seminary in St Paul, MN in 1961; and later received his Masters in Biblical Studies in1970 from Union Seminary, in Richmond, VA.

He was united in marriage to his best friend, soul mate, and greatest supporter, Virginia C Schumann, in 1960 in Cokato, MN. This union would be further blessed with two children; David and Cathy.

Pastor Carmen devoted his entire life to bringing the Lord to others. It wasn’t work, it was simply a way of life. As a Lutheran Pastor his parishes included: Our Saviors- Great Falls, MT, Malta Lutheran Parishes including Malta, MT, Dodson, MT, Loring, MT and Whitewater, MT. Following his Masters Degree, he served Immanuel Lutheran Church and Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Atwater, MN 1970-1976, Faith Lutheran Church Marshfield, WI 1976-1989, Zion Lutheran Church Woodville, WI 1989 to retirement in 1999.

Following “retirement”, he served as an interim pastor at several Wisconsin Churches until 2015; Spring Valley, Amery, Hammond, and Glenwood City to name a few.

He resided in Woodville at Park Place Assisted Living and Parkview Nursing Home until his death.

Carmen interests included his ministry, which he loved very much. He thoroughly enjoyed a good conversation about theology and faiths of all kinds. Although a Lutheran Pastor by ordination, he was ecumenical by every means, not only by what he said but how he lived his life. Earlier in life, he enjoyed acting and live theater performances. This was a great part of his joy in life in each community he served. He served on many committees including Library boards and community education . He loved to read as he always had a book in his hand. Many would also appreciate his ability to sing, and sing loud, every song in the hymnal!

Pastor Carmen is preceded in death by his parents Carsten Peterson and Clara Solfest Peterson, two brothers , Bob Peterson of Bismarck, ND and Duane Peterson of Milwaukee, WI

Survivors include: his wife Virginia Peterson, his brother Gerald Peterson of Rapid City, SD . His children David Peterson and wife Lorie Fischer Peterson, LaCrosse, WI. his daughter Cathy Nyseth Woodville, WI. His grandchildren Abby Nyseth, Matt Nyseth, Al and Andrea Peterson Rochester, MN, Vic Peterson, LaCrosse, WI; and 2 Great grandsons Rome Roby and Adrian Roby.

Funeral service for Pastor Carmen Peterson will be 11AM Thursday September 7th at Zion Lutheran Church in Woodville. Visitation will on Wednesday from 4pm to 8pm at Zion Lutheran Church as well as one hour prior to the service at church Thursday. Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran or Parkview Community Campus. Funeral services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin.