Edgard H. Peterson, age 89, of Fargo, ND, died Monday, December 8, 2014, at Eventide Lutheran Home, Moorhead, MN.

Edgard Hilmer Howard Peterson was born on October 19, 1925 to Carl and Nora (Bjerkley) Peterson in Twin Valley, MN. He attended country school in Fossum Township through eighth grade and then graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1943. He farmed with his Dad until buying his own farm in Faith, MN. Ed married Marcella Paul in St. Michael's Catholic Church, in Mahnomen on February 8, 1954. They were blessed with two children; Deb on August 17, 1955 and Greg on January 7, 1957.

The family made their home on the farm, where Ed had a herd of registered Holstein Dairy Cattle. Ed was very proud of his herd and took good care of them. The herd was the families' main source of income. In the fall of 1962 they sold the farm, due to Ed's hay fever problems, and moved to Barnesville, MN where they operated "Pete's Texaco and Motel". In December of 1976 the business was sold and they moved to a cottage on Big Pine Lake near Perham, MN, where they spent the next 12 years.

In December of 1988 Ed moved to a home they built on 80 acres of woodland in rural Perham. This was their first "new" home. Ed and Marcella worked together to; design the home, clear the land, and landscape the property. It was surrounded by Maple, Oak and other trees that turned every color in the fall. It was the most beautiful place you could imagine. The next 16 years were the happiest in their lives. They cut wood, gardened, hunted and filled the yard with apple, crabapple and plum trees, along with raspberries and grapes. Trails were cut so you could drive or walk through the woods. In 2004 an injury forced them to leave the country home and move into Perham. They moved to Fargo in May of 2011 to be closer to family. Ed entered Eventide Nursing Home in December of 2013.

Although Ed did many things, he was always a farmer at heart. He was a self-taught mechanic, carpenter and hard worker. He believed "if someone else can do it, I can too." He took great pride in doing a job to the best of his ability. Ed believed in hard work. He was a role model to his family, his employees and his friends. Ed took great care of all he had including his family, the land and machinery. He was an excellent walleye fisherman and took many out of Big Pine Lake. Ed hunted deer and grouse on their 80 acre farm. He maintained the lawn and garden with loving care and helped with freezing and canning when necessary.

Ed was honest and trustworthy, a loyal and devoted father, and will be greatly missed.

Ed is survived by his wife, Marcella of Fargo, two children; Greg (Judy) Peterson of Fargo and Deb (Dwight) Olson of Cedar Rapids, IA, grandchildren, Lisa (Chris) Dykes of Eagle River, AK and Zach Olson of Chicago, IL, Anne (Lucas) Stram of Moorhead, MN and Laura (Chris) Carlson of East Grand Forks, MN, great grandchildren Colm and Lochlin Dykes, Oliver, Amelia, and Eden Stram and Carter, Quinn and Sylas Carlson, one brother, Allan (Lorraine) Peterson of Twin Valley, nieces and nephews; Bruce, Mike and Don (Mary) Christensen, Donna (Dennis) Johnson, Janice (Mike) Syvertson, Carol (Dave) Kvidt, Susan (Mike) Kasprowitz, Barb (Dennis) Gerlach and Kathy (Charlie) Varty. He was preceded by his parents, Carl and Nora, sister and brother-in-law, Bernice and Don Christensen and brother and sister-in-law, Carmen and Leona Peterson.

The family wishes that all memorials be sent to Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2014, at CHI Riverview Chapel in Fargo. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at CHI Riverview Chapel.

Burial will be at St. Olaf Cemetery in Faith, MN.

All memorials are to be send to Hospice of the Red River Valley.