The funeral mass for Ralph F. Peterson will be at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, with Rev. Mark C. McNea officiating.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Ralph Francis Peterson died on Dec. 28, 2013 at The Homestead at Rochester.

He was born Mar. 9, 1921, in Rochester, Minn., to Charles & Luella Peterson.  Ralph married Angela Gehlen on Oct. 27, 1945, in Glencoe, Minn.  He was born and raised on the family farm in Haverhill Township.  Ralph attended and graduated from Rochester High School.  He was stationed in Bermuda during WWII while serving in the Army from 1943 to 1945 where his position was in Coastal Defense Anti-Aircraft.  He worked as a meat cutter for Super Value and retired from the Rochester School District Maintenance Department.

He is survived by his three daughters, Jean (Gary) Slesinski of Rochester, Marlene (Bob) Edgar of Mantorville, and Mary Ellen (Chris) Reiter of Elgin; three sons, Jim (Judy) Peterson of Plymouth, Mike (Paulette) Peterson of Rochester, and Tom (Norma) Peterson of Rochester; 14 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Ralph is also survived by one brother, George (Lorraine) Peterson and sister in-law Geri Peterson both of Rochester.  He was preceded in death by his wife Angie who passed away in August of 2010.  He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Clare and Thomas.

Ralph loved being with his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Ralph enjoyed woodworking, fishing, gardening, playing cards and traveling.  Ralph and Angie were avid supporters of Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the mass on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Memorials can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Minnesota.