Peter Monson

Peter Monson, age 88, of Willmar, died Thursday, March 26, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

Memorial services with be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 11, at the Church of the Nazarene in Willmar. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Willmar with military honors provided by Austin F. Hanscom American Legion Post #167. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Church of the Nazarene. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Peter Harlan Monson was born April 13, 1926, in Lake Henry Township near Hawick, Minnesota, the son of Soren and Annie (Williamson) Monson. He grew up on the family farm south of Hawick. He attended District #24 School through 8th grade and then worked with his parents and for neighbors helping with farming.

In 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a Seaman First Class with the Seabees 31st Battalion stationed in Japan during World War II. Following his discharge, he began farming with his uncle George. In 1957, he purchased a farm two miles south of Hawick. Peter farmed and also worked as a mason in St. Paul and with Pederson Construction. On June 21st, 1963, he married Maxine Rogers Spencer and they made their home in Willmar. In 1976, he began working as a custodian at the Willmar Regional Treatment Center and worked there until his retirement. In retirement, he worked part-time at the Willmar Brush Site. He cared for his wife Maxine during her 7 year battle with dementia until her passing in 2007.

Peter was a member of the Church of the Nazarene. He enjoyed going to the Senior Center for meals and to play cards and pool. He also enjoyed going for drives and fishing. In July 2012, Peter moved into Sunrise Village Assisted Living. He enjoyed living there and playing cards and dominos with the other residents.

He is survived by a brother, Philip (and Martha) Monson of Henriette, MN; a sister, Alice Mathiason of Maple Grove, MN; many nieces and nephews; stepchildren, Doris (and John) Larson of Willmar, MN, Ruby (and Delmar) Douma of Lake Lillian, MN, Janice (and Jim) Wittman of Lake Lillian, MN, and Larry (and Robin) Spencer of Willmar, MN; stepson-in-law, Robert (and Jean) Masters of Spicer, MN; 13 step-grandchildren: Brian Larson, Jeff Douma, Timm Douma, Todd Douma, Donna Hanlon, Cindy Tutko, Connie Wold, Jody Wittman, Jason Wittman, Jill Oslund, Eric Spencer, Matthew Spencer, and Andrew Spencer; several step-great-grandchildren and step-great-great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Maxine; a stepdaughter, Charlotte Masters; five brothers, Harry, Johnny, Danny, David and Selmer; two sisters, Mary Ann Caskey and Luella Finn; a stepgrandson, Ron Larson.

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