David Perreten

David Perreten, 86, of Henning, died on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at his residence.

David Earl Perreten was born in Wesley Hospital, Wadena, Minnesota on August 19, 1936, the first born of Earl and Beulah (Goder) Perreten. He was baptized and confirmed in the Trinity Lutheran Church by Reverend Albert Framstad. He attended Henning School for twelve years, graduating with the Class of 1954. He attended the University of Minnesota in 1954 and 1955. In 1956 he enlisted in the U.S. Army. While in the service, Dave attended electronics and computer schools and worked on guided missiles and spent a year in Germany. After his discharge, he went to work for Boeing Aircraft Co. in Seattle, Washington as an electronic technician.

On August 20, 1960, he married Geraldine (Jeri) Oien in the Glendale Lutheran Church in Burien, Washington. In September of 1960, Dave was transferred to Cape Canaveral Florida as part of the launch team for the Minuteman Missile. After one year with Boeing and seven Minuteman launches, Dave hired on with NASA Manned Space Center at Cape Canaveral as part of the Project Mercury Test team at hanger S. Both Tracy and Todd were born in Titusville, Florida.

In 1967, after the Apollo fire, Dave transferred to NASA/GSFC Networks Directorate Greenbelt, Maryland where his work involved world travel testing the tracking sites computer systems. In 1984, at the age of 48, Dave took an early retirement from NASA. After his retirement, Dave worked for several Engineering companies supporting Goddard Space Center.

In November of 1993, Dave and Jeri purchased the Perreten homestead in Henning, Minnesota, and retired. In October of 2005, Jeri passed away after a two year courageous battle with lung cancer.

Dave had many interests including home improvements, hunting, ice fishing (spearing), crosswords, sudoku, writing and computer research, which was his life work. He was active in sports, lettering in four sports in High School, and coaching Tracy and Todd in their sports growing up.

On June 14, 2012, Dave and Janice Peterson Ukkelberg were married on the deck of the Perreten homestead by Pastor Darrell Vetter.  Dave and Jan enjoyed traveling, spending time with their many special friends, and going out to eat and visiting. Dave would spend many hours sitting in the ‘Taj Ma Hal’ watching wildlife. He was continually doing crossword puzzles, and was known for passing out his mint candies to “sweeten people up.”

He is survived by his wife, Jan; his children, Tracy (April Brooks) Perreten, and Todd (Leslie) Perreten; two grandchildren, Tyler and Jacob; step-children, Lori (Brian Garvey) Ukkelberg, Todd (Liz) Ukkelberg, and Ross (Theresa) Ukkelberg; step-grandchildren, Jeffrey, Jordan (Jayde), Will (Cassie), John (Jordan), Sarah (Drew), Daniel, Jacob, Alex, Tyler and Tony; great-grandchildren, Jace, Tamera, Colton and Kylie; sisters, Peg Evavold, Cynthia (Frank Schandler) Nystrom; sister-in-law, Luck Perreten; and by numerous relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his first wife, Jeri; by two brothers, Tom and Bill Perreten; and brother-in-law, Glen Evavold.

Memorial Service at 2:00 PM Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Nidaros Lutheran Church of rural Clitherall.

Visitation Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, with a 6:30 PM Prayer Service, at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Battle Lake, resuming one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Interment in Trinity Cemetery, Henning

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson of Battle Lake