Peterson Brothers Funeral Home

01/14/2026

Angela Jean Cook

Angela J. Cook, age 54, of Willmar, passed away Sunday, January 11, at the University of Minnesota Fairview East Hospital in Minneapolis.

A graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, January 16, at the Swedish Reno Mission Cemetery near Lowry. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

View Angela Jean Cook's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/14/2026

Have you heard about the new, innovative alternative to traditional flame cremation? It's called aqua cremation or water cremation!

In this short video, Funeral Director Lance Peterson shares more about how the aqua cremation process works and why it leaves an even smaller impact on the environment.

01/12/2026

01/12/2026

Christopher "Chris" Allen Gross

Christopher "Chris" A. Gross, age 56, of Willmar, passed away January 6, at his residence.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 3-6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13, at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club in Willmar. In lieu of flowers, memorials to honor Chris may be directed to National Alliance on Mental Illness. nami.org Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Christopher Allen Gross was born on January 7, 1969, in Muscatine, Iowa, the son of Melvin and Dorothy (Hansen) Gross. He grew up in Muscatine and graduated from Muscatine High School in 1987. He attended college in Iowa and earned a BA degree in Finance and Business. After college, he moved near Duluth (on the North Shore) and worked in finance with area health care systems.

In 2023, Chris met the love of his life, Alicia Hess. They were married on June 12, 2024, and made their home in Willmar. His hobbies included fishing, camping and random adventures to historical sites. Chris had a wonderful sense of humor, great voice, and contagious laugh. He will be deeply missed by all that knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Alicia; two step-daughters, Sophia and Madison; three children, McKenzie, Kaitlyn and Christopher Jr. "CJ"; his parents, Melvin and Dorothy Gross; and one brother, Ahren (and Chrsitina) Gross; besides other relatives and many friends

He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

View Christopher "Chris" Allen Gross's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/12/2026

Bruce John Meyer

Bruce J. Meyer, age 69, of Willmar, passed away Wednesday, January 7, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Arrangements are pending with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

View Bruce John Meyer's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/12/2026

Virgil Andrew Laabs

Virgil A. Laabs, age 80, of Kandiyohi, passed away Thursday, January 8, at CentraCare Rice Memorial Hospital.

Arrangements are pending with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Virgil Andrew Laabs was born on June 21, 1945, in Hector, Minnesota, the son of Harry and Floretta (Forcier) Laabs. He grew up in Buffalo Lake and in 1951, the family moved to Grove City. He graduated from Grove City High School in 1964 and was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam. On December 14, 1968, Virgil was united in marriage to Joyce Carol Kaderabek. They lived in the communities of Atwater, Eden Valley, Hector, Grove City, and Kandiyohi. Virgil was engaged in farming prior to being self-employed as a heavy equipment operator and truck driver. Virgil enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and canning vegetables.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce of Kandiyohi; one daughter, Denise (and Scott) Kingery of Sartell; a son-in-law, Dan Johnson of Andover; four grandchildren, Alex, Kolten, Mileigh and Tristen; two sisters, Darlene Anderson of Paynesville and Phyllis (and John) Rueckert of Sioux Falls, SD.; and two brothers, Victor (and Rita) Laabs of Backus and David (and Barb) Laabs of Grove City, besides other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Kathy in 2018.

View Virgil Andrew Laabs's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/12/2026

Keri Ann Schultz

Keri A. Schultz, age 65, formerly of Atwater, passed away Friday, January 9, at the Appleton Care Center.

Arrangements are pending with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Keri Ann Schultz, formerly Carrie Lee Tackabury, was born on October 11, 1960, in Stockton, California. She was the second of two children born to Richard and Evangeline (Oelfke) Tackabury. She attended Trinity Lutheran Elementary school in Stockton for 8 years and then attended Lodi Academy in Lodi, California for a year. That summer her mother passed away and she, her brother and grandparents moved to Minnesota. Keri finished her remaining three years of high school at Maplewood Academy in Hutchinson. In September of 1979, she was baptized into the SOA Church. Keri studied audio visual technology at the Hutchinson Area Vocational School for 3 years. Her first job was as an AudioVisual Technician at the Hutchinson Community Hospital. After this she worked at McDonald's, Gold Coin, waitressing and several other jobs in the Hutchinson community. In 1996, Keri joined the Litchfield SOA Church and enjoyed playing her keyboard for them on several occasions. Keri also served as a caregiver for Doug Hamilton Sr. of Atwater for over 10 years.

She is survived by two nieces, Kristina Tackabury and Rebecca Tackabury, along with several friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Mark.

View Keri Ann Schultz's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/09/2026

Thinking about your own mortality can feel uncomfortable, but sharing your story can offer comfort and healing. In the article below, discover how legacy projects create lasting connections and support your loved ones through grief.

Legacy projects are something for your loved ones to remember you by when you're gone. Start telling your story today!

01/09/2026

The holidays are over, and as you start the new year, have you thought about making preplanning your funeral one of your New Year's resolutions? We are here to help you every step of the way. For more information, visit our website at www.petersonbrothers.com, call, or come by!

01/06/2026

Robert LeRoy Jaenisch

Robert LeRoy Jaenisch, age 78, of Clara City and formerly of Raymond, passed away Sunday, January 4, at CentraCare Rice Memorial Hospital

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, January 9, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, at Immanuel Lutheran Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Robert was born on February 25, 1947, to Daniel and Effie Jaenisch. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City. Bob graduated from Clara City High School in 1965. After high school, he joined the Army National Guard, where he served for six years.

In 1969, Bob married the love of his life Sharon Stegeman. From this union, three children were born: Ronda, Mamie, and Duane. Bob passionately farmed and raised hogs north of Clara City until 1995. He then went on to work for the MACCRAY School District for 17 years.

During retirement, Bob enjoyed riding his motorcycle, going to the casino, working on the farm, camping, spending time with his grandchildren, and traveling with Sharon.

Bob is survived by his wife, Sharon Jaenisch, of Clara City; daughters Ronda (Chad) Fank of Eagle Lake and Mamie (Ryan) Braun of Webster, SD; and son Duane (Tania) Jaenisch of Clara City. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Katie and Kelsey Braun, Callie, Maggie, Dan, and John Jaenisch. He is further survived by his brother, Ed Jaenisch of Willmar; mother-in-law Fern Stegeman of Clara City; brother-in-law Greg Doerr of Willmar; along with numerous sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Effie Jaenisch; his brother, Kenny Jaenisch; his sisters, Marlene Haats and Mary Jean Doerr; sisters-in-law Diane Jaenisch and Alice Jaenisch; brother-in-law Sonny Haats; and his father-in-law, Henry Stegeman.

View Robert LeRoy Jaenisch's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/06/2026

Julio Cesar Giron

Julio C. Giron, age 64, of Willmar, passed away Saturday, January 3, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. followed by his celebration of life service at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

View Julio Cesar Giron's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/06/2026

January is often one of the coldest months of the year, so bring a little warmth to the season by participating in National Cuddle Up Day! Whether you cuddle with a pet, a partner, or a cozy blanket and fuzzy socks, stay warm and happy out there!