Alexander Jordan "AJ" Petersen

Alexander Jordan "AJ" Petersen, age 44, of Willmar, passed away Tuesday, September 9, at CentraCare Rice Hospital.

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

AJ was born in 1981 in Eau Claire, WI.  He grew up in Chippewa Falls, WI and Willmar, MN.  As a kid, he enjoyed toy cars, jokes, and picking on his sister (who probably started it).  He played sports all through school and graduated from Willmar High School in 1999.  AJ married Emily Baker in 2012 and had two amazing children: Lukas and Evy.  AJ's interests included baseball, auto racing, good movies, tinkering with tools and electronics, and building models.  His family remembers him as a kind, hard-working, easy-going, strong, and clever person with a good sense of humor.  He will be greatly missed.

AJ is survived by his children, Lukas and Evy Petersen of Raymond; his sister, Erin Petersen (Koush Dutta) of Seattle, WA; his half-sister, Wally Gustafson of Spicer; his half-brother, Frank Gustafson of Spicer; his father, Randal Petersen of Spicer; his aunt, Tunie Welker of Willmar; his uncle, Dan Olson of Willmar; his maternal grandmother, Snook Olson of Willmar; his aunt, Kaye Olson of New London; his uncle, Bryan Petersen (Kim) of New London, as well as his loving cousins, nieces and friends.  All will cherish his memory and seek to learn from the journey his life took him on.

AJ was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Petersen of Willmar; his maternal grandfather, Gene Olson of Willmar; his paternal grandparents, Ozzie and Dee Petersen of Spicer; and his beloved dog, Carter whose favorite place to be was by his side.