1913
Peter
2011
Peter Santen
May 27, 1913 — March 12, 2011
Peter Van Santen, 97 of Battle Lake died Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the Battle Lake Good Samaritan Center.
Peter Van Santen was born May 27, 1913 in Fergus Falls to Jacob and Hendrika (Thiel) Van Santen. He was baptized in Fergus Falls. The family moved to a farm near Vining where he attended school in Folden Township and was confirmed at Vining Lutheran Church. He worked on farms in the area and each autumn would go to southern Minnesota where he hand picked corn for farmers. In 1938, Peter and his brother, Ben, moved to Eagle Lake Township where they farmed together for two years.
On October 10, 1940, he married Ruby Swenson of Hoffman. They farmed and raised their family on their farm in Eagle Lake Township. They moved into Dalton in 1989.
In Peter's earlier years he was a bonded and licensed cattle and horse buyer and trader. As a young man he would break horses for driving. Peter was a member of Leaf Mountain Lutheran Church, where he served as president and was a Board of Trustee Member. He also served as president of the Vining Lutheran Parish Council, was a 4-H leader of the Nidaros Club for many years, served as director of the Ashby Creamery, was a charter member and president of Battle Lake Farmers Union Oil Company for eleven years, was a director of Eagle Lake Township Board, was a member of the Otter Tail County Farmers Union, director of Otter Tail County Community Action Committee, served two terms on Battle Lake and Henning Consumers Oil Company, was Otter Tail County DFL chairman for eleven years, also served in Minnesota House of Representatives one term. In 1991 Peter and Ruby were chosen as Otter Tail County farm family of the year and honored at the University of Minnesota. He enjoyed playing cards, visiting with family and friends and discussing politics.
Peter is survived by three sons, Mike (Patty), Mark (Geri) both of Battle Lake; Duane (Leanne) of Blaine; two daughters Renee (Daryl) Jorud and Susan (Terry) Nelson both of Battle Lake; eighteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and two great-great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby; his parents; brothers, Joe, Ben and Bill; son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Shannon; grandson, Peter; and daughter-in-law, Diane.
Funeral Service will be at 11 am, Saturday, March 26, 2011 at the Leaf Mountain Lutheran Church, rural Clitherall with Rev. Carl Andersen officiating.
Visitation will be Friday, March 25th from 4 to 7 pm with a Prayer Service at 7 pm at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Battle Lake and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Peter Van Santen was born May 27, 1913 in Fergus Falls to Jacob and Hendrika (Thiel) Van Santen. He was baptized in Fergus Falls. The family moved to a farm near Vining where he attended school in Folden Township and was confirmed at Vining Lutheran Church. He worked on farms in the area and each autumn would go to southern Minnesota where he hand picked corn for farmers. In 1938, Peter and his brother, Ben, moved to Eagle Lake Township where they farmed together for two years.
On October 10, 1940, he married Ruby Swenson of Hoffman. They farmed and raised their family on their farm in Eagle Lake Township. They moved into Dalton in 1989.
In Peter's earlier years he was a bonded and licensed cattle and horse buyer and trader. As a young man he would break horses for driving. Peter was a member of Leaf Mountain Lutheran Church, where he served as president and was a Board of Trustee Member. He also served as president of the Vining Lutheran Parish Council, was a 4-H leader of the Nidaros Club for many years, served as director of the Ashby Creamery, was a charter member and president of Battle Lake Farmers Union Oil Company for eleven years, was a director of Eagle Lake Township Board, was a member of the Otter Tail County Farmers Union, director of Otter Tail County Community Action Committee, served two terms on Battle Lake and Henning Consumers Oil Company, was Otter Tail County DFL chairman for eleven years, also served in Minnesota House of Representatives one term. In 1991 Peter and Ruby were chosen as Otter Tail County farm family of the year and honored at the University of Minnesota. He enjoyed playing cards, visiting with family and friends and discussing politics.
Peter is survived by three sons, Mike (Patty), Mark (Geri) both of Battle Lake; Duane (Leanne) of Blaine; two daughters Renee (Daryl) Jorud and Susan (Terry) Nelson both of Battle Lake; eighteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and two great-great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby; his parents; brothers, Joe, Ben and Bill; son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Shannon; grandson, Peter; and daughter-in-law, Diane.
Funeral Service will be at 11 am, Saturday, March 26, 2011 at the Leaf Mountain Lutheran Church, rural Clitherall with Rev. Carl Andersen officiating.
Visitation will be Friday, March 25th from 4 to 7 pm with a Prayer Service at 7 pm at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Battle Lake and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
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