Peterson, Walter died suddenly of natural causes on December 15, 2017 at the age of 74. Walter was born on July 21, 1943 to Walter Nels and Mildred (Hanson) Peterson. He was baptized at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in North East Minneapolis on December 12, 1943 and confirmed in his faith there in 1953. Walter attended school in North East Minneapolis and graduated from Edison High School in 1961. He enlisted in the US Army in 1966 and served for 3 years in Mannheim, Germany during the Vietnam War where he provided service for helicopters and airplanes. Upon returning, he worked at FMC Northern Ordinance in Fridley, MN until his retirement. Walter enjoyed in this order, playing cribbage, eating lutefisk, following the Twins and reading Louis L'Amour novels. He also enjoyed the residents at Parmly Points Pleasant Heights in Chisago City, MN where he lived the past 4 years. Walter was kind, generous and had a dry sense of humor. For many decades, Walter sponsored children in 3rd world countries through Child Fund International. Walter is survived by his sister, Nancy (Dodd) Knutsen of the town of Osceola, WI; nephew, Karl (Rev. Jennifer) Knutsen of Washington, DC; nieces, Elise and Nicole Knutsen of Washington, DC; nephew, Dr. Peder (Laura) Knutsen of Minneapolis, MN; nephews, Kartsen, Cole and Cooper Knutsen of Minneapolis, MN; uncle, Robert Hanson of Mesa, AZ; aunt, Rose Hanson of California and many other relatives and friends. Walter is preceded in death by his father, Walter Peterson; mother, Mildred (Hanson) Peterson; grandparents, Newton Zacharias (N.Z.) and Anna Hanson of Big Lake, MN, and Oscar and Elsa Pettersson of Hallsberg, Sweden. Memorials preferred to Child Fund International or Parmly Point Pleasant Heights. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm, Saturday, February 24, 2018 at Parmly Point Pleasant Heights, 28600 Fairway Lane, Chisago City, MN. Dessert will be served following the service. Grandstrand Funeral Home 651-257-4000 grandstrandfh.com