Wayne John Peterson

Wayne John Peterson (Pete), Age 87 of Cloquet, Township of Solway in the state of Minnesota passed away peacefully on February 5, 2025, of natural causes. Date of birth September 2, 1937, in Duluth, Minnesota, the son of William Arthur Peterson and Mabel Annabelle (Johnson) Peterson. He grew up in Munger, MN and graduated from Proctor High School.

He joined the Navy in 1957, stationed at Corpus Christi Texas Naval Air station, rank of Aviation Electronics Technician Petty Officer (AT-2) Second Class. Training squadron, VT- 29. Responsible for the maintenance and repair of electronic systems on aircraft, worked with both land-based aircraft squadrons and aboard aircraft carriers.

Wayne married Francis while stationed at the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. Honorably discharged in 1961, he was assigned to the Naval Reserve and released in 1963, beginning his undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he graduated with a double major in economics while employed full-time. Worked for Boeing Corporate headquarters in Seattle, Washington and Duluth Avionics, served as the quality control manager for Litton Industries College Park, Maryland, Medtronic and General Dynamics in Minneapolis. Following his corporate retirement in 1999, he became a quality control consultant for General Dynamics.

Wayne loved baking and sharing home-cooked meals and baked goods, whether you liked it or not. He was passionate about his charitable donations, and they had a consistent theme, animal rescues, minority and religious organizations focused on food distribution, and organizations supporting disabled veterans. A life-long fan of the Minnesota Gophers, Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings. Wayne was intelligent, fair, kind and loved his family; his qualities will be valued.

Predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Francis Jo; son, David Wayne Peterson; and grandson, Robert (Bert) Brian Link. Survived by daughters Susan (Gregg) DeRusha of Minneapolis and Dana (Pete) Pelz of Colorado; grandchildren, Kenny (Lena) Miller, Aaron (Michelle) Miller, Dalton DeRusha, Brittany Curtis; and seven great-grandchildren.

Military honors will be rendered by the Cloquet Combined Military Honor Guard following a Graveside Service on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 2 PM, Solway Cemetery in Cloquet. Donations: Cloquet Food Shelf 316 Carlton Ave, Cloquet, MN 55720.

Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service of Northern Minnesota.

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