The funeral service for Dean E. Peterson will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 15, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester, with Pastor Norman Wahl officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Byron at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, with Military Honors by the Rochester American Legion.

Dean passed away on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Seasons Hospice House in Rochester after a long battle with cancer.  He was born September 26, 1946 in Rochester to Raymond and Josephine (Fuchs) Peterson.  Dean attended school in Rochester graduating from John Marshall High School in 1964, and went on to Mankato State University graduating in 1969 with a degree in Accounting.  Dean served in the US Air Force from 1969 – 1973 serving in Quam and Stateside, and was an avid skydiver.  Dean married Kathleen Sexton in December of 2007 at Millville.

After the Air Force Dean was employed as a professional musician, he loved music and was one of the topnotch steel guitar players.  Dean played with a lot of area bands, including the Buzz Hackman Show, Country Lads, Sisters & Company, Country Road, Beavers Gang and many others.  He also worked for Nepstad Realty and LNM Realty Services as a Real Estate Agent and Broker.  Dean was also employed at Tempo as an Appliance Manager, and at Hillcrest True Value Hardware as a business accountant.  He was employed by IBM in sales.

Dean had a great love for music, hunting, fishing, an avid Twins and Vikings fan, and archery.  In the 1960's he was president of the Rochester Archery Club where he was competitive, and exhibition archer competing at the state level, and was a State Champion in Field and Outdoor in Minnesota.  Dean was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Rochester Eagles, VFW, American Legion, Masons, and the Rochester Musicians Union.

Dean is survived by his loving wife, Kathy Peterson of Rochester, step-children, Joe Sexton of Millville, and Jessica Welti of Plainview; 2 grandchildren, Halie Welti and Reed Welti; brother, Larry (Linda) Peterson of Rochester, and nephews, Adam (Nikki) Peterson and son Max, Paul Peterson, and Grant Peterson; and many step-nephews and nieces.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and twin sister, Diane Peterson.

Friends and family may visit from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 14, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, in Rochester, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.