Harry A. Peters

Harry A. Peters died on December 21, 2020, at the age of 90 from COVID related complications, but his quick wit and love for family will not be forgotten. He had a love for life that was contagious. You only needed to be with him a few minutes before you were smiling. He loved to joke around and could make anybody laugh. Visitation for Harry will be Wednesday, December 30, 2020 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood. Pursuant to Gov. Walz's executive order, face masks will be required in the funeral home building and those attending are asked to properly social distance both indoors and out. A private funeral will be held at Glenwood United Parish with Pastor Yolanda Williams officiating. Burial will be in the Glenwood Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home. 

Harry was born on May 2, 1930, to Henry and Marie (Duerksen) Peters near Delft, MN. He was the first in a twin birth, unless you were to ask his brother. He and his twin joined 2 older brothers and were raised on various farms throughout southern Minnesota. He attended country school while helping out on the farms, graduating in 1944 from Bingham Lake High School. He was proud to share that he graduated in the top ten of his class, but then revealed that it was from a class of ten. His upbringing instilled a strong faith, the value of hard work, and love of family that was evident his entire life.

In 1951, Harry enlisted in the United States Navy. He was stationed on the USS Amphion in the Caribbean as a welder. He was very proud to have served his country. He was discharged in 1955, after which he held many jobs which included farming, milking cows, driving bulk fuel truck, welding, and driving school bus which was a favorite that he remembered with joy. In 1964, he obtained an associate’s degree in accounting which led to his career in banking. The early part of his banking career was in Iowa, but he moved back to Minnesota in 1977 where he retired in 1992. After his retirement he was a driver for the Veterans van, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Harry met the love of his life, Phyllis Wellman, in July 1955, just one day after arriving home from his service in the Navy. Phyllis’s cousin was dating Harry’s twin brother and set them up on a double date. In Phyllis’s words, after that first date there was never anyone else for either one of them. They were married on July 12, 1956, and over 64 wonderful years together would raise 3 daughters, Janet, Sandra, and Susan, and would be blessed with 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Harry loved to be outdoors, especially in the sun. He had many hobbies, including hunting, gardening, collecting old and rare coins, and playing cards and cribbage. He loved to watch high school basketball, the MN Twins, and Survivor. But his favorite pastime was fishing. Whether it was summertime in the boat or wintertime in the fish house, he’d be ready to catch a big one. It was his love of fishing that led to 7 Peters family vacations at Minnesota resorts over the years. Harry & Phyllis treated their 3 daughters and their families to a week of fishing, fun, and family time. Those are memories that will be treasured forever, such a gift they gave to their family.

Harry and Phyllis loved to travel. They took family vacations when their children were young, and enjoyed many bus trips around the country together. In December 2019 at the age of 89, he and Phyllis, along with their 3 daughters and 2 of their sons-in-law, took a week long cruise together to the Caribbean. He would say that even though he’d been there once before while in the Navy, the food and accommodations were a lot better this time around.

Harry will be missed greatly by his dog Dezmond, whom he lovingly called his “Buddy”. They were constant companions in his later years and enriched each other’s lives to the fullest.

He is survived by his loving wife Phyllis, daughters Janet (Randy) Jessup, Sandra (Tim) Jenum, and Susan (Scott) Elwood, 9 grandchildren Anna (Clayton), Emily (Nolan), Andrew (Mary), Alex, Sydney, Savannah (Gabe), Rolf, Shay, and Karl, 9 great-grandchildren, twin brother Henry, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-law Lena and Gloyd Wellman, granddaughter-in-law Michaela Elwood, brothers and sisters-in-law Marvin and Marion Peters and Ted and Grace Peters, sister-in-law Lois Peters, and nieces Karla Austin, Mary Jane Peters, and Roseanne Peters.

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