Paul L. Peterson, age 62, of Owatonna, Minn., died peacefully at his home on Jan. 30, 2022.

Paul Luther Peterson, the son of Gary Peterson ‘59 and Mary (Winkler) Peterson ‘60, was born on March 7, 1959, in Decorah, Iowa. He graduated from Eden Prairie High School and continued his education at Luther College. On Sept. 24, 1983, he was united in marriage to Julie Ann Fuglestad ‘81 in Naperville, Ill.

Paul and Julie made their home in Owatonna where Paul worked for Federated Insurance. After 32 years with Federated, Paul retired as First Vice President Director of Operational Services. Following his time at Federated, he worked for Cambria as an Executive Vice President. Ultimately, Paul pursued one of his life-long dreams of obtaining his Commercial Driver's License and was currently working at Foodliner, Inc. Paul loved to travel the world, see new sights and enjoyed the company of so many dear friends on his journeys. Above all, Paul cherished time with his family and his beloved dog Bear. He found new meaning and joy being a loving and caring grandfather to his granddaughters and was looking forward with great excitement to the arrival of another granddaughter this spring. Throughout Paul's life his strong faith was a guiding influence.

He is survived by his wife Julie (Fuglestad) Peterson ‘81 of Owatonna; children Ashley (Michael) Nowicki of St. Louis, Andrew Peterson of Bari, Italy, Aren (Allison) Peterson of Ham Lake, Minn.; granddaughters Ellyse, Brynn, and Ayla Nowicki. He is also survived by his mother Mary (Winkler) Peterson ‘60 of Red Wing, Minn., brothers Erik Peterson ‘86 of Peck, Idaho, Marcus Peterson ‘88 (Stacey (Gronbeck) Peterson ‘88) of Lakeville, Minn., and sister Marni Peterson of Scottsdale, Ariz. He was preceded in death by his father Gary Peterson ‘59 and an infant sister, Mary Janice Peterson.

Visitation was Feb. 4, 2022, at the Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna, Minn. A Celebration of Life Service was held Feb. 5th at Michaelson Funeral Home.

Memorials can be directed to Federated Challenge: Supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters.