Peter Fransen

John Peter "Pete" Fransen, age 85, of Willmar, died Thursday evening, July 27, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 4, at the First Covenant Church in Willmar. Interment will be at a later date at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12 noon until the time of service at the church on Friday, August 4. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar. www.petersonbrothers.com

John Peter "Pete" Fransen was born on December 19, 1931, in Willmar, Minnesota, the son of Christ and Eleanor (Rasmussen) Fransen. He grew up in Willmar and graduated from Willmar High School in 1949. Following high school, he enlisted in the U. S. Army. On June 14, 1952, Pete was united in marriage to Margaret Broberg at the Salem Covenant Church in rural Pennock. Following his military service in Alaska, they settled and farmed Lawnview Dairy in rural Willmar until 1986, when they moved into Willmar. Margaret passed away from cancer in 1995. In July of 1996, Pete was married to Sandra Lindahl. During their life together they lived in Willmar and Maple Grove before returning to Willmar. Sandra passed away in 2002 from cancer. On August 14, 2004, Pete was married to Kate Deziel and they made their home in Willmar. Pete worked a variety of jobs throughout Willmar, including Molmborgs Nursery, where he excelled with his love of planting and growing many different types of poinsettias He was most recently employed with MediVan in Willmar and at Centennial Square Apartments as a custodian. Pete was a past member of Salem Covenant Church and was active as an usher, treasurer and deacon. He was a member of the First Covenant Church in Willmar at the time of his death and was active in different positions including a board member. His family recalls his love of farming, caring for the land and his love for animals. He also found great love in planting and caring for flowers and vegetables. He had a special love for airplanes. He loved to fly and helped care for the planes. Pete had a deep caring for others and went out of his way with no hesitation to help others in his quiet unassuming manner. His hobbies included camping, being outdoors, watching the MN Vikings and MN Twins, word finds, bird watching, annual trips to the MN State Fair with Kate and time spent with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Kate of Willmar; three children, Sue (and Mark) Wilson of Apple Valley, Paul (and Sherri) Fransen of Union Grove, WI., and Shari (and Fego) Lopez of Scottsdale, AZ.; eight grandchildren, Jeremy, Matthew, Sally, Zachery, Brittney, Chelsea, Aubri and Alicia; five great grandchildren, Alison, Kyli, Zoey, Xander and Janessa; a special child in his life, Noelle Glinsek and numerous step-children and step-grandchildren. Also surviving is one sister, Elaine Carlson of Willmar and a sister-in-law, Doris Broberg of Kerkhoven, besides other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives, Margaret and Sandy; and four sisters, Corrine, Ginny, Joyce and Mary.