Peterson Brothers Funeral Home

11/07/2025

If you are a veteran, then you may be eligible for burial in a national cemetery - free of charge! Check out this list of national cemeteries across the United States and then chat with a funeral director about your options and how to plan ahead for your funeral wishes as a veteran.

Are you interested in burial or inurnment at a national cemetery? Check out this list of national cemeteries and find one to fit your needs.

11/05/2025

Landing in a different time zone can feel disorienting and exhausting if you’re unprepared. Read the article below to discover a few ways to beat jet lag as you travel.

11/05/2025

Stress affects each and every one of us in different ways, but did you know that laughter is the best medicine? Laughing relieves your stress response and relaxes your muscles. So, to reduce your stress today, pull out your favorite comedies or hang out with your funniest friends.

11/05/2025

"We're the new modern funeral home!"

During times of grief and loss, you – our community – deserve a place to go where you will feel comfortable and comforted. Now that our renovations are complete after seven long months, we look forward to meeting your needs in new and different ways, always striving to honor and celebrate the lives of those we love.

To learn more about the completed renovations, watch this brief video with our owner or stop by for a tour! We welcome you!

11/04/2025

Marie Gale Grunwald

Marie Gale (Chambers) Grunwald, 92, died peacefully on Friday, October 31, at her home at Compassionate Cottage in Willmar with family by her side.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by her celebration of life service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 5, at the First Presbyterian Church in Willmar where Marie was a long-time member. Memorials in Marie’s name are welcomed to the First Presbyterian Church of Willmar, Centra Care Hospice, and the Havana Cemetery. Heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated and loving teams at Compassionate Cottage and Centra Care Hospice for their endearing and exceptional care. Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Marie was born in Owatonna, Minnesota in 1933 and was raised on her parent’s (Margaret and Burton) farm alongside her two beloved older sisters Marian and Marge. She loved horses, belonging to the 4H, and having her grandparents close. She graduated from Owatonna High School in 1952, attended one year at the University of Minnesota and then married her high school sweetheart, Robert Grunwald who was her best friend and constant companion for the next 57 years.

Marie was a creative writer, humorist, and practical joker. She planned for her annual Christmas letters and April Fool’s Day antics all year long. She cut out her favorite cartoons and saved them to be sent at just the right time to just the right person on just the right occasion. She taught her four children, by example, how to laugh hard, laugh often, and most importantly, how to laugh at themselves. She focused her attention always on the things that mattered most to her - family, faith, friends, and love. She showed her commitment to service through her involvement in Meals on Wheels, PEO, and the ministries of the First Presbyterian Church.

She is lovingly remembered by her four children and their spouses: Jane (Bobby) Weathers of Des Moines, IA; Beth (Gaylen) Reetz of Stillwater, MN; Charles Grunwald of Willmar, MN; and Sarah (Jeff) Sieck of Willmar, MN. She is sadly missed by her seven grandchildren: Katie, Maggie, Billy, Megan, Lizzie, Rob and Jenn, and by her eight great-grandchildren: Leo, Mae, Henry, Isabelle, Kacen, Ralyk, Harper, and Harley. She also leaves her cherished sister Marge Polacek, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents, and her sister Marian Jones.

View Marie Gale Grunwald's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/04/2025

Gladys Elaine Svobodny

Gladys E. Svobodny, age 97, of Willmar, passed away Thursday, October 30, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the funeral mass at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 7, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar. Interment will be in the church cemetery following the funeral service. Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Norwegian American Historical Association (NAHA) http://norwegianamericanhistory.org or charitable organization of your choice. www.petersonbrothers.com

Gladys was born on July 29, 1928, to Carl and Anna (Flatebo) Alvig in Dovre Township, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. She was baptized at Eagle Lake Lutheran Church in rural Willmar and confirmed at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar.

Gladys attended rural grade school at District #62, Dovre Township through the eighth grade, then attended Willmar High School, graduating in 1946. After high school, Gladys did secretarial work for an accounting firm and worked for a time at Northwestern Bell.

It was during this time that Gladys met the love of her life, Clyde Svobodny. They courted after meeting at the local roller rink and were joyfully united in marriage on June 12, 1948, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Willmar. They were married for 76 years, until Clyde’s passing in 2024.

Gladys and Clyde resided in Danube until 1950, when they moved to Willmar. Gladys continued to work after she was married also finding opportunities to contribute to her community. As a member of St. Mary’s, Gladys helped serve funeral lunches, attended Bible study groups, and served as wedding coordinator and eucharistic minister to the homebound. Gladys’ Norwegian heritage was very important to her, leading to her active membership in the Norwegian organizations Vestlandslag and Hardangerlag. She cherished her trip to Norway to visit her mother’s ancestral home.

Their four children and eventually, grandchildren, were the center of Gladys’ world. Gladys’ fierce love for her family led her to cherish the times around her table with them. Known for her delicious cooking, she would prepare for days before family gatherings, making sure she had everyone’s favorite treats and dishes.

Loved ones will remember and miss Gladys’ s***k and quick wit, practicality and kindness, and lived examples of faith. Though she tended to fret about everyone’s well-being, her courage, strong values and beliefs saw her through life’s ups and downs. She was known to say, “I’m a tough Norwegian!”

She is survived by three children, Michael (Miriam) of Alexandria, James (Kay) of Mankato and Daniel (Lisa) of Brookings, SD.; nine grandchildren, John (Jeannie) Svobodny, Eric (Molly) Svobodny, Kristen (Mitch) Quick, Julie (Shain) Golyer, Mike (Jenny) Curtis, Sarah Johnson, Jordan Svobodny, Alexander Svobodny and Geoffrey Svobodny, and eight great-grandchildren, besides several beloved nieces and nephews.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Svobodny; her parents; two sisters, Mildred Brandt and Beatrice Frankus; one brother, Gerald Alvig; one daughter, Mary Aistrup; a son-in-law, James Curtis and several in-laws.

View Gladys Elaine Svobodny's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/04/2025

Thomas "Tom" David Herman

Thomas "Tom" D. Herman, age 56, of Albion, Iowa, passed away Sunday, November 2, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar, following a long and courageous fight against cancer.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.

Tom was born on October 24, 1969, in Paynesville, Minnesota, the son of David and Linda (Dilley) Herman. He grew up in Willmar and graduated from Willmar High School in 1988. He attended Bemidji State University and graduated from St. Cloud State University with a BA degree in Education. Tom was married to Marla "Martee" Bentrup and they later divorced. Tom lived in Rice, Minnesota and Utica, South Dakota prior to moving to Albion, Iowa. He was employed for many years with Big Rock Sports / CSI as a Regional Sales Manager.

Tom was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting and fishing and enjoyed sharing many of those outdoor adventures with his family and friends. He was also an avid Minnesota sports fan (through the good times and bad). He enjoyed playing in men's slow pitch softball, watching the history channel, playing trivia and singing karaoke. Tom also enjoyed music and playing in his most recent band, Vivace since 2021.

He is survived by his mother, Linda Dilley of New London; three siblings, Mark (and Kari) Herman of Willmar, Carrie Dilley of Spring Valley and Daniel Carter of Willmar, besides several nieces and nephews and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, David and his grandparents.

View Thomas "Tom" David Herman's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/04/2025

Chester Leo Woltjer

Chester Leo Woltjer, age 88, of Pennock, passed away Sunday, November 2, at his residence following an extended illness.

Arrangements are pending at this time.

View Chester Leo Woltjer's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/03/2025

11/01/2025

It’s that time again! Don’t forget to turn back your clocks tonight.

10/29/2025

Wai Po

Wai Po, age 26, of Benson, passed away Sunday, October 26, at CentraCare Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar following an extended illness.

Visitation will begin at 12 noon followed by his funeral service at 1 p.m. on Friday, October 31, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery. www.petersonbrothers.com

Wai Po was born on July 19, 1998, in Tham Hin, Thailand, the son of Wan and Paw Po. On December 8, 2006, he and his family immigrated to the United States. They made their home in St. Paul where Wai Po graduated from Washington Tech High School. He enjoyed playing soccer and wrestling. In August of 2019, he moved to Willmar and was employed at Jennie-O Foods. Since February of 2025, he has resided in Benson. In his early youth, Wai Po was diagnosed with liver disease which led to his passing.

He is survived by his parents; Wan and Paw Po; two sisters, Nay Po and Serr Po, all of Benson; his special friend, Khee Poung of Omaha, NE., three nieces and one nephew, besides many friends.

View Wai Po's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/29/2025

Barbara Joanne Reyer

Barbara Joanne Reyer, age 94, of Minnetonka and formerly of Willmar, passed away Monday, October 27, at Elder Homestead in Minnetonka.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

View Barbara Joanne Reyer's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.