Peterson Brothers Funeral Home

02/20/2026

Finding the right funeral home is an important step when planning ahead for funeral wishes. This article shares 10 characteristics you should look for when deciding which funeral home to partner with for your funeral planning needs.

Interested in end-of-life planning? Take a look at these 10 characteristics to look for when choosing a funeral home to meet your needs.

02/20/2026

Vincent F. W***e

Vincent "Vince" F. W***e, age 76, of Willmar, passed away Saturday, February 14, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 26, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar. Interment will be at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery near Pennock with military honors provided by the Willmar American Legion Post. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. with a parish prayer service at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, at the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar. Visitation will also continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials to honor Vince's life may be directed to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Rochester, Minnesota. www.petersonbrothers.com

Vince was born on August 19, 1949, in Lake Park, Iowa, the second of four sons of Edward and Prudence W***e. He grew up on their farm outside Round Lake, Minnesota (near the Iowa border) and graduated from Round Lake High School in 1967. Following high school, he attended and obtained a degree from Jackson Vo-Tech. He then enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard and served for 6 years.

Vince was united in Matrimony with Suzanne (Hinton) on November 24th, 1972, in Worthington, MN. They moved to Willmar about 6 months later when an opportunity to build a new territory out of the Welders Supply store in Willmar became available.

He was employed at Welders Supply (now known as Matheson) for over 55 years as a Driver Salesman and Territory Manager. During his career Vince built a territory from Willmar to Wahpeton, ND and then as far as beyond Fargo, ND which led to the opening of two more company stores. He also won too many sales and performance awards to list. The main theme we have heard from all his coworkers and customers is that Vince didn’t actually have coworkers and customers, he just had lots of good friends. Some of those friends were with Dad for his entire 55 years in the territory.

In 1972, Vince and Suzanne bought their first purebred Charolais breeding stock. They were very passionate about the cattle and eventually named the business JDJ Charolais after their three sons Jed, Dan, and Jay. They continue to operate the herd today as W***e Livestock in partnership with son Jay. Vince was a member of the American International Charolais Association and the American Angus Association. He was also a past President of the Minnesota Charolais Association.

Vince was a member of the Church of St. Mary and the American Legion.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt Thank You to his medical team at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Particularly Doctors Leventakos, Lee, Peikert, Stokken, Bechtum, and Clain along with their entire teams. They also became very good friends of Vince.

He is survived by his loving wife, Suzanne; three sons, Jed W***e of Milsap, TX., Daniel W***e of Chaska, MN, and Jay W***e of Spicer, MN; three grandchildren, Belle W***e of Granbury, TX, Claire W***e and Sloane W***e of Chaska, MN. Also surviving is one brother, Galen (and Teresa) W***e of Bloomington, MN, and a sister-in-law, Beverly W***e of Brewster, MN; besides brothers and sisters in-law, relatives, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Burton and Val, and two brothers-in-law, Stanley Gunning and Mark Hinton.

Blessed be the memory of Vincent Frank W***e.

View Vincent F. W***e's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/18/2026

Donald "Donnie" L. Bergstrom Jr.

Donald "Donnie" Leonard Bergstrom Jr., age 71, of Willmar, passed away Friday, February 6, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

A private family service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Donnie was born on September 5, 1954, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of Donald Sr. and Marie (Serbus) Bergstrom. He grew up and received his education in the Olivia community. Growing up in the 60's and 70's, Donnie lived a "free-spirited" life and was nicknamed "Freebird" by those who knew him. Donnie was married to Wanda Young. They made their home in Willmar and were later divorced. Over the years, Donnie worked as a chef and then in the construction business.

Donnie later earned a certification in counseling in Minneapolis and became employed at the Willmar State Hospital as a Chemical Dependency Counselor. He wrote the counseling program for those with addiction problems which is still in place today. Donnie sponsored many individuals to get clean from addiction. He later became disabled and was forced to retire.

Donnie enjoyed riding motorcycles, listening to rock music, playing video games, talking loudly, and being with his family and friends. He was proud to be unique and loved helping others in need.

He is survived by one daughter, Wanda (and Roger) Moen of Willmar; and six grandchildren, Richard Moen, Namira (and Hailey) Moen, Cheyeann (and Christopher) Nelson, Jamie Keehn, Jenna Keehn and Anthony Keehn, besides other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by one son, Richard Keehn; both of his wives, Nancy and Wanda; and his parents.

View Donald "Donnie" L. Bergstrom Jr.'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/16/2026

Happy Presidents’ Day! Did you know that when Presidents’ Day was first observed in 1879, it only applied to the District of Columbia? It wasn’t until 1885 that it became a national holiday.

02/16/2026

Evelyn Grace Olson

Evelyn Grace (Aronson) Olson was born March 28, 1929, to Edward Aronson and Anna (Larson) Aronson. She died February 5, 2026, at Bethesda Grand, at the age of 96. Evelyn was known affectionately as “Evie.” She was the middle child in her family, following her brother, Ed, and preceding her sister, Irene. Her family resided in Willmar. Evie attended First Covenant Church with and married her classmate Ralph W. Olson on April 13, 1951, at Fort Rucker, Alabama, while Ralph was serving in the Army. Mom pursued many interests with passion while growing up. She was very artistic and dreamed of painting in Paris. She enrolled in an art correspondence course but kept her pursuits this side of the pond. Mom illustrated her high school yearbook, The Wihisean, two First Covenant Church cookbooks, and a book by Rev. Nathaniel Franklin, Jesus at Home. She also did live chalk drawings of Jesus at various churches; one memorable one she did was of “Jesus Christ at Dawn.” Mom’s grocery and “to do” lists were always accompanied by doodles and drawings of fancy ladies and whimsical children. Her creativity encapsulated so much joy. Mom was also an accomplished classically trained pianist, a talent we did not know of until she bought a used Acrosonic piano when her children were young. We kids were enthralled as we waited outside for the school bus as Mom pounded

Chopin’s “Polynaise” with gusto through the open windows. What a way to start the day! Mom shared her love of swimming and horseback riding with her family and incorporated both activities on vacations to the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone Park, and Colorado Springs. Mom loved to travel, and with an inheritance from a loving uncle, was able to gift her family with trips to Jamaica and Hawaii, which in turn spurred Robin’s and Joan’s frequent trips to the islands. Mom and Dad also were able to travel to Mexico. She and Dad made frequent visits to their children in Texas, Colorado, and Florida. While raising her family, Mom worked part time at JC Penney, Tom and Bill’s Red Owl, and the Willmar State Hospital. She also worked in the office at the Peterson’s Shoe Store, which she and Ralph, and then Robin and Joan Olson owned.

Mom’s greatest passion was raising her children; it fed her nurturing soul just as it fed ours. Mom was always ready to lend a listening and compassionate ear, a heart that would try to see the best in every situation and person, and a faith that, in the end, everything would turn out for the best. She lived her love, and followed Christ’s path. One of Mom’s greatest joys was caring for her grandsons, Christopher and Jackson, when they moved from Denver, Colorado to Willmar when they were very young. Her camera was always close by as she photographed their antics. She would jot down notes daily of funny or enlightening things they would say, do, or make her laugh. Keeping up with those two

kept her young physically and in spirit. She treasured her time with them. We have all been truly blessed by being one she called her own. Mom is survived by her children: Terry (Meg), of Richardson, TX, Robin, of Willmar, Cathy, of Willmar, and Caroline (Lou Cucco) of Orlando, FL; grandchildren Christopher (fiancée Priya Natarajan) of Columbus, OH, Jackson Muldrow, of Denver, CO, and Joshua Husby of Orlando, FL; her nephew, Michael Gaarder, of Pacifica, Washington; niece Pamela Orozco of Evansville, WY; several nieces and nephews, and friends.

Evie was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Olson in 2022, her parents, siblings and their spouses, Ed (Evelyn) Aronson, Irene (Gary) Gaarder and her in-laws Martin and Martha Olson, Leon (Eleanor), Floyd (Greta), Gerald (Delores), Donald (Darlene), Margaret (Richard) Haas and Jean (Donald) Sands; daughter-in-law Joan Lucas Olson, son-in-law Bill Bannon; nephew Alan Olson, and niece Mari Rothman. Blessed be her memory.

A joint celebration of Evie’s and Ralph’s lives will be held at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home June 6, 2026, at noon. There will be a private family internment with military honors at Calvary Cemetery. www.petersonbrothers.com

View Evelyn Grace Olson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/15/2026

At Peterson Brothers Funeral Home, we are fully committed to helping families through the grieving journey with kindness and compassion with our aftercare program.

To learn more, watch this brief video and hear from Jeff as he shares how our team went above and beyond to follow up with him after his loss and ensure he received the grief support he needed.

02/14/2026

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, let’s remember that love isn’t limited. Share the spirit of Valentine’s Day with your children, your spouse, your friends, and your family.

02/13/2026

Are you grieving the loss of a spouse this Valentine's Day? If you are, please find comfort in this article that validates the strong emotions you're feeling and offers support on the grief journey ahead.

Losing your soulmate is heartbreaking and lifechanging. As a grieving spouse, read these 10 mourning rights and grieve the way you need to.

02/13/2026

Are there people in your life who need to know that you love them? Consider using this Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to share how you feel and how much they mean to you. Whether it’s your spouse, parents, children, or friends, we all need to know we’re loved.

02/11/2026

Saw Blue Ko

Saw Blue Ko, age 66, of Willmar, passed away Friday, February 6, at his residence under hospice care.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 12, at Grace Baptist Church. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Saw Blue Ko was born on July 27, 1959, in Maung Chit, Burma, the son of Maung Ya and Naw Taw Doo. He grew up and received his education in Burma. At the age of 18, he began serving in the Karen Army. He later met the love of his life, Naw Lu Paw and they were married. This union was blessed with three children, Yalee Say, Ka Yanw Do and La Blue Moo. In 2012, the family immigrated to the United States and became U.S. Citizens. They settled in the Willmar community, and he began working for Willmar Poultry Company. In 2022, Saw Blue Ko was diagnosed with cancer. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and being outdoors.

He is survived by his wife, Naw Lu Paw; his three children, Yalee Say (and Lah Nay Htoo), Ka Yanw Do (and Dah Moo) and La Blue Moo; three grandchildren, Victoria, Paramie and Trillian; and three siblings, Saw Bwa, Naw Ku Lu and Saw Mo Do.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

View Saw Blue Ko's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.