Delton Petersen

Delton R. Petersen, age 63, of rural Atwater, passed away Thursday, Nov. 18, at his residence from lung cancer.

On September 13 ^th , 2021, Delton was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. Due to the extent of the cancer, he opted for no treatment. Over the next 2 months, he took the “gift” of time to finish up projects, get his affairs in order, and to connect with family and friends.  A private family service will be held at a later date.  A public visitation to celebrate Delton's life will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24, at the Peterson Brothers Atwater Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Delton was born in Litchfield, MN to Robert Henry and Barbara Adeline (Jackson) Petersen.  He lived in Atwater for most of his childhood, graduating from AHS in 1976. He joined the Airforce and was in Michigan where he met his first wife, Dorothy Wallenslager. They married in 1978 and returned to the area after his discharge from the service. In 1986 he got a degree in Electronics from Hutchinson Vo-Tech. For 16 years, he did CADD for Novaspect in Eden Prairie.

On May 13, 2000, Delton married his high school sweetheart, Barbara (Savelkoul) Mickle and they moved to their home “in the woods”.  They were blessed with 21 years of marriage. Over that time, he did several different jobs including tree service, flagging for DOT, tool and die, steel work, machining, and shop mechanics.  In recent years, he and the neighbors developed a close bond, working together on many projects.

Delton was so intelligent. He could fix just about anything mechanical. He was a logical, stubborn, somewhat selfish, opinionated individual who lived life on his own terms. He loved his wife, family, friends, wildlife, the 76ers, his country, and all little creatures. He was proud of 37 years of sobriety.  You would know him by his long beard and bib overalls. Cars, good old country music, and marble cake with white frosting were some of his favorite things. He savored the monthly shooting competitions with the group he founded “The Rimfire Renegades”, where he made new and enduring friendships.

Delton is survived by his wife, Barb, sons - Ken, Jesse (Jenny), and Galen “Bill” (Renae), step children – Stephanie Mickle, AJ Mickle, and Miranda (Justin) Litzau, 18 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, sisters – Debby Shoultz, Diane Petersen, Darla Petersen, and Dawn “Missy” (David) Ohm, FIL Doug (Mary) Pratt, Barb’s brothers and sisters, his first wife, Dorothy Opitz, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

In his words “I have lived a very full and happy life and would not change a thing”.