Don Carl Pettersen

Don Pettersen

Don was born in Wadena County, MN on October 3, 1929 and died on February 20, 2011, in Panama City, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl J. and Katheryn (Cassie) Platt Pettersen, baby brother Claire (1915), baby sister-stillborn (1917), step-mother Margaret Molmen Pettersen, sisters Leona (Harold) Berg and Jean (Gordon) Goepferd. He is survived by twin half-brothers, Clark (Janice) and Carter (Doris) Pettersen. His father, Carl, was the first Wadena County Assessor. His mother, Cassie, died when Don was only 10. After graduating from Sebeka H.S. in 1947, Don enlisted in the Air Force. In 1951, he married Eljean (Jeanne) Campbell in Fairbanks, Alaska (Jeanne was from Mantorville, MN). They were married for 35 years and had three children: Linda (Lonnie) Thayer (born in Fairbanks, AK), Carl (Elizabeth) Pettersen (born in Mount Clemens, MI) and Bill Pettersen (born in Anchorage, AK), providing Don with grandchildren: Lonnie David Thayer II (Gerri), Christina Marie and Misty Lynn Thayer, David Christian and Katie Christina Thayer, and Henry William Pettersen. He was great-granddad to Lonnies children Mikayla and Markis Thayer, Christinas daughters Sydney and Madison Erickson and Alyssa Bauer, and Mistys children Hailea Vargo and Phil Pechaver. Don served in Vietnam in 1967. He was awarded the Bronze Star and other medals and retired from the military in 1971 after 24 years of service. The family moved often: Don was stationed in (Fairbanks) Alaska, Michigan, Ohio, (Anchorage) Alaska, Alabama, New Mexico and Hawaii before retiring to Saint Paul, Minnesota. After retirement he worked in building maintenance for Mailand Construction in West St. Paul for 15 years. Don and Jeanne divorced in 1986. Don moved to Panama City, Florida and married Joyce Eileen Barclay (Joy) in 1988. He was greatly loved by her children, Jack (Barb) Mason and Tim Mason. He became grandpa to Jacks children Zachary (Meghan) Mason, Ben (Misty) Mason and Chase Mason and Tims sons Andrew and Cody Mason. Don became great-granddad to Zachs children, Caleb, Zoe and Brayden, and Bens children, Ellie and Mylee. Don and Joy would have been married 23 years in April. Joy and their niece, Paula Pace, were at his bedside when he passed. Don will be greatly missed by his loved ones and friends. Liked by everyone for his kind and helpful nature, he was truly a gentle man. Services were held in Panama City on February 26, 2011 with full military honors. Interment, Evergreen Cemetery. Submitted by daughter Linda Thayer