Wayne "Longhorn" Peterson

Wayne “Longhorn” Peterson, age 86, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026, a Fairway View Neighborhoods.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Chapel in Ortonville. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. Pastor Dave Tonn will officiate, and inurnment will be at Holden Lutheran Church Cemetery at a later date.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable the bottom of this page.

Wayne Arlin Peterson was born on July 21, 1939, in Prior Township of Big Stone County, MN, to Adolph and Verna (Nagel) Peterson. Wayne's roots were deeply embedded in the land he loved and nurtured throughout his life.

A life-long member of the Holden Lutheran Church, Wayne was baptized on July 12, 1941, and confirmed on July 13, 1952. He attended school in Beardsley, MN, and graduated with the Class of 1958 from Beardsley High School. Shortly after, Wayne was united in marriage to Nancy Meyers, and together they welcomed four children into their lives.

Growing up alongside his father, Adolph, Wayne began his farming career, where he honed his skills and passion for agriculture. Known for raising Longhorn cattle, he cherished the opportunity to introduce his grandchildren to the excitement of their first visits to the sale barn. Wayne dedicated himself to a life of farming, establishing his own homestead and engaging in custom combining, reflecting his unwavering commitment to agriculture and the land.

Beyond his farming pursuits, Wayne found joy in riding motorcycles, hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. His travels, particularly to the breathtaking landscapes of Colorado. He had a knack for discovering old horse-drawn wagons to take with him to sell on his trips to Colorado. Wayne also took advantage in visiting with Sandy and Tony before he would venture home. He enjoyed the camaraderie of poker runs on Big Stone Lake and his adventurous spirit shone through in his love for building and customizing, including a beloved dune buggy that he delighted in driving around. Wayne had a Cadillac adorned with a pair of longhorns on the hood—a fitting tribute to his personality. He was remembered for always keeping gum or peppermints in his pocket, a small but thoughtful gesture that brought smiles to those around him.

A true social butterfly, Wayne was known far and wide, weaving connections and friendships throughout the community. He found great pleasure in watching his grandchildren at their sporting or school events and was always eager to share a conversation over coffee and cookies.

Surviving Wayne are his children: Doug (Sis) Peterson of Beardsley, MN; Val (Steve) Henrichs of Ortonville, MN; Curt (Lisa) Peterson of Beardsley, MN; and Brent (Katie) Peterson of Ortonville, MN; 11 grandchildren: Darren Peterson, Ashley (Jay) Payton, Micheal (Ieva) Dennis, Alexis Tanner, Jessica (Matthew) Sieverding, Jake Henrichs, Kayla Peterson (Richie Alama), Curtis Peterson, Samantha (Dan) Thompson, Rebecca Peterson (Chase Wedekind), and Heath Peterson (Brianna); 18 great-grandchildren; and cousins: Sissy Kvatum and David Peterson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Verna Peterson.

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