"Missing you Uncle Gordie. I talk with you often in the morning while having coffee and I know you are with me, Love you very much ???"
In loving memory of
Gordon K. Peterson
November 24, 1936 - September 1, 2019
Gordon Kenneth Peterson, 82, of Winona, died Monday, Sept, 1, 2019 at St. Anne Extended Healthcare in Winona after a brief battle with kidney cancer.
Gordie was born Nov. 24, 1936 in Swanburg, MN to Kenneth and Katherine (Moser) Peterson. He married Jan Wilson on Sept. 23, 1960 in Minneapolis and together they had two boys -- Jeff and Greg. Gordie and Jan later divorced, and he married Ann Lafky on May 19, 1978.
In 1962 he bought a supermarket in Excelsior, MN and later sold the store to work for Standard Oil as a marketing rep, eventually ending up in Winona. By 1970 he had purchased the Standard station on Highway 61 and added the Huff Street station to his portfolio in 1980, which he ran until 1996 when he retired and sold to his son, Jeff, who still proudly runs the family business today.
Though he was a fierce and respected businessman, Gordie's interests extended well beyond the business community. He was active in countless community and civic organizations and was a mentor to fellow businesspeople. Gordie truly found happiness in the success of others. He was happiest when spending time with friends and family, many of whom were able to enjoy one of Gordie's biggest passions -- horses. Gordie and Ann camped and rode horses in more than 30 states and made friends near and far in the horse-riding community.
Gordie was known to negotiate a deal with anyone who had something to sell and would talk to anybody who'd offer an ear to listen. He was firm, but fair. Above all, he had a soft spot for his family, which he was always proud of and eager to brag about.
Gordie is survived by his two sons, Jeff (Robin) Peterson of Winona; Greg (Jennifer Guay) Peterson of Ontario, Canada; two stepchildren, Mike (Jackie) Lafky of Stockton, MN, Elli (Andy) Lindahl of Shakopee, MN; nine grandchildren, Ashley (Josh) Erickson, Summer Peterson, Hannah Peterson, Nicholas Peterson, Emily Peterson, Veronica Lafky, Victoria Lafky, Sydney Lindahl and Wyatt Lindahl; one great-granddaughter, Finley Erickson; four younger siblings, Gayle (Jerry) Mattison, Leon (Nancy) Peterson, Sharon (Don) Corbin, Bruce (Lynette) Peterson; and many nieces, nephews and more than 70 cousins.
He is proceeded in death by his wife, Ann, and his parents.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Winona with Rev. Robert Hicks officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Please leave a memory of Gordie and view his video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Celebration of Life Center, Goodview, is assisting the family.
Tributes
"My deepest Sympathy to the whole Family ! Gordie will be dearly missed ! He was one of a kind loved by many in the US and Canada ! Rest in Peace Gordie !"
"Jim and I met Gordie when Elli started working for us over 20 years ago. Elli loved Gordie - when we met him, we knew why! Our sympathies to the entire family. "
"We met Gordie when Elli came to work for us over 20 years ago. Elli loved Gordie - when we met him, we knew why! Our sympathies to the entire family."
"Jim and I met Gordie when Elli came to work for us over 20 years ago. Elli loved Gordie - when we met him, we knew why! Our sympathies to the entire family."
"My Friend. Each of us has a different definition of Friend. Gordie was the ultimate friend to me, far beyond being my brother-in-law. From the time that Ann told me she wanted me to meet this "This special man who drives a gold Cadillac" to his last day I was blessed with his great role in my life. Steaks on the fire pt on Windy Ridge,bringing the horse to the Arches for rides for the children, trips to see me in Billings and Lake Havasu, thousands of dinners out and "Reds", a wonderful fishing trip up north with his family, to last summer when he said,"how long has it been since you've been out on Garvin Heights'? 35 to 40 years I replied. As we walked out to the point, Gordie said, don't get any silly ideas Mik, but I'm going to hold your hand as I don't want you to fall". My friend is still holding my hand and will live in my heart as long as I live.! Mickey (Lila) Valentine"
"Dear Jeff , Greg and family. So sorry for your loss. Many fond Goodview memories. Loss of 2 great dads in such a short period of time. Take care. Nancy Flatness Lilla"
"Dear Jeff and Greg and family. So sorry for your loss. So many good memories . Loss of 2 great men in such a short period of time. Take care. Nancy Flatness Lilla "
"Sorry to learn of Gordies passing. WE first got to know Gordy when he was president of the Winona Chamber and we met him at the Annual Meeting at St. Mary's College. We had many occasions from that time on! Don Peterson"
"Jeff, Greg and family, I got to know Gordie through Jeff and Greg being childhood friends in the neighborhood. Then working at the station in the late 70?s. Working there you always had to look busy because you never knew when Gordie would drive down from Stockton Hill and drive by. Most of the time he didn?t stop but now you knew he was in town. If he did stop, you knew something needed to be cleaned and you hoped it wasn?t the carwash pit. Don?t fill the trash bin too full with the muck in the carwash pit, it gets heavy. The wrecker was used more than just to tow vehicles. Always had fun times at the station even if it was a job, Gordie made it fun to work for him. His kindness to his co-workers, his jokes and his wit will be missed by all who knew him. Brucer - Bruce Brandt "
"So sorry to hear of your brothers passing! Sending prayers of comfort to all your family. Judi Grover"
"So sorry to hear of Gordies passing. He always had a smile and a hand shake to share. He treated his customers at the gas station like family. Sincere condolences to Jeff Greg and all of your family. Jeff and Lisa Singer ( Trautner)"
"Gordie was a fun person to be around. He always was so happy and truly enjoyed a good joke or story. Here is a cold beverage to you Gordie....We will ALLl miss you! Bill and Jill Schmidt"
"I did not know Gordie long but in the short time Gordie became a great neighbor and friend. I am going to miss our conversations, pontoon trips and the occasional RED that he used to bring over. Gordie you are a good man and I am going to miss not having you next door. "
"Great gentleman. My sympathy to the family. My son will miss his neighbor."
"Jeff, Very sorry to hear of your dad's passing. God's peace to you and your family. Clint Ronnenberg"
"Gordie hired me at the Huff St. "Gordie's Standard" in '95, where I worked for both he & Jeff for 3 years. He taught me a lot about people and life. I really enjoyed his sharp wit and great sense of humor! He liked to tell us how much that gray/silver hair of his would let him get away with! He was a great mentor for me and taught me to "always be above average." Now I pass that on to people that I'm mentoring. My deepest sympathy to the Peterson Family. ~Brandon (BJ) Buckingham"
"Gordie has been a rock in my life. Ever inclusive, joyful, fun, supportive, a listener, able to bend with life?s ever changing demands. If people wanted to get together, having Gordie be a part of the gathering insured that it would be a joyful occasion for everyone. I pray his family know what an impact he had on the people in the community- work or play - that he gave his all in being present with us. My deepest sympathy to all of you. Susan Roehl"
"Our community lost a good man this past weekend. I had the privilege of knowing Gordie Peterson as one of the Board of Directors at Woodlawn Cemetery. He brought many of his business minded attributes to this group and will be dearly missed. "