David Lee Petersen, age 71, of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Dave was born on May 12, 1955, to Virginia and James Petersen and grew up in West St. Paul, Minnesota, with his two siblings. His younger years were filled with Boy Scouts, high school band, hockey, baseball, and summer days at Eagle Lake. After high school, he continued his love of music as the drummer in his rock-and-roll band, Sound Advice. He also loved riding his motorcycle, which helped catch the eye of his future wife, Judy. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised two children.
Dave was a devoted husband and father who never missed his kids’ games, enjoyed coaching, and instilled in them a strong work ethic. He cherished weekends on the North Shore fishing with his son, camping trips, time at the family shack, trout fishing, collecting favorite rocks along the shore, and traveling with his family. When his grandchildren arrived, he proudly became “Papa Pete,” a role that brought him endless joy and pride.
Above all, Dave’s greatest passion was spending time with his family. Whether he was sharing stories, enjoying the outdoors, attending a family gathering, or simply being together, those moments meant the most to him. Dave lived life on his own terms, worked hard and loved deeply. He always found the strength to persevere, showing us what it truly means to embody resilience and grit. He leaves behind a lifetime of memories, lessons, laughter, and a family who will forever be grateful for the love he gave them.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Virginia and James Petersen; his parents-in-law, Eileen and Leo Steinmetz; and his brothers-in-law, Robert Steinmetz and Kevin Hall.
He is survived by his loving wife, Judy Petersen; children, Joseph (Christina) Petersen and Cassy (Nick) Wille; grandchildren, Cooper, Colton, Emilia, Alexandra, Madison, Izabella, and Teagan; sister, Cindy Hall; brother, Greg (Valarie) Petersen; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends.
Friends and family will gather for a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at the Church of St. Patrick 3535 72nd Street East, Inver Grove Heights. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m.