Mark Douglas Petersen

Mark Douglas Petersen, age 64, of Alexandria, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at Knute Nelson Care Center, surrounded by his loving wife and children, after a brave and hard-fought battle with cancer.

A celebration of Mark’s life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, at Alexandria Covenant Church. Visitation will take place one hour prior, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Mark was born on April 29, 1960, to Rich and Jan Petersen (Carney). His childhood was filled with joyful memories, especially time spent with his beloved dog, Tina. Sports played a big role in his early years—he loved playing Little League baseball in Brooklyn Center and spent countless afternoons on the golf course with his dad and Grandpa Dick. Golfing alongside his brother Tim created some of their most cherished moments together.

Life took a wonderful turn when the family purchased a cabin on Lake Ida in Alexandria, which quickly became their second home. Their father made sure the boys spent plenty of time outdoors—fishing, exploring, and eventually learning to hunt. During the week, while their dad worked in the cities, Mark, Tim, and their mom soaked in the peace and quiet of lake life together.

As a teenager, Mark stayed grounded in his love for sports—especially golf and hockey, which remained lifelong passions. He also stayed close to his childhood friends, the Garden City Boys, named after their elementary school. That bond endured throughout his life and brought him constant joy.

After graduating from Park Center High School in 1978, Mark began working alongside his brother Tim at Mid-Continent Engineering in Minneapolis. Their journey through various roles helped lay the foundation for Mark’s professional path. He later found his true calling at ITW Heartland, where he thrived as Operations Manager. He truly loved working at ITW for over 30 years. He often came home smiling, saying how much he loved his job.

On August 28, 1992, Mark married the love of his life, Shari Erickson, at the Gale Mansion in Minneapolis. When their twins, Tara and Trent, were born, they moved to Alexandria so Shari could stay home with the children for a while. There, they built their home on a beautiful 10-acre property near the lake—a home that would become the heart of their family. Later, they welcomed two more daughters, Cassidy and Mallory. After selling their longtime home, Mark and Shari purchased a home in Florida—a place he grew to love as much as the lake property they shared with Shari’s brothers, Ryan and Troy and their families. Both places held a special place in his heart and were filled with treasured memories.

Mark’s love of sports naturally extended to his children. He delighted in teaching them the basics of every game and often coached their teams. Being a father, he would say, was one of the greatest blessings of his life. He was always playing, laughing, and making memories with his kids—and as they became adults, just spending time with them brought him joy. His heart grew even fuller with the arrival of his grandsons, whom he proudly called “his boys.” He never missed a chance to show them off, often reaching for his phone during conversations to share their latest photos. He was especially proud that Grayson carried his first name as a middle name, and Dax his middle name—a legacy that meant the world to him.

In addition to sports, Mark had a deep love for the outdoors. Whether it was spending hours mowing the acreage at their Lobster Lake home, tossing balls for his dogs, or camping nearly every weekend, nature brought him peace. He loved camping with family at the Erickson Compound, the lakeshore shared with Shari’s brothers and their families, and various campgrounds across Minnesota and the U.S. For Mark, camping was never just an activity—it was meaningful time spent with the people he loved most.

Mark was also an avid hunter, especially fond of pheasant hunting, though he enjoyed all types of the sport. Whether hunting with his brother Tim and other family from the Carney side at their Uncle Doug’s property, or joining Shari’s brothers Ryan and Troy and other family members on the Erickson family land, these experiences became traditions. He was proud to share that passion with his son and looked forward to passing it down to his grandsons.

Another of Mark’s great passions was travel. He prioritized creating memories through adventures with family and friends, with Negril, Jamaica, holding a special place in his heart—he visited eight times. A standout trip was traveling to the Bahamas to visit dear friends, Steve and Mindy Altermatt, aboard their boat in Spanish Wells.

Mark also had a lifelong love for music—especially rock and roll. He and Shari spent many weekends at concerts with their close friends, Jaci and Blake Heidecker. Even travelling to many music festivals in Minnesota or in other states. As the kids grew older, he loved being able to share that passion with them, attending concerts and music festivals together—making memories through the music they all loved.

Above all, Mark will be remembered for his warm, easygoing nature. He had a genuine gift for connecting with others—always smiling, always ready with a story or a laugh. His kindness, joy, and love for life touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Mark is survived by his devoted wife of 32 years, Shari; his children, Tara (Mitch) Ahrendt and Trent (Leah) Petersen of West Fargo, ND, Cassidy Petersen of Minneapolis, and Mallory Petersen (fiancé Bailey Rosch) of Plymouth; and his cherished grandsons, Grayson Mark and Dax Douglas. He is also survived by his brother, Tim (Cher); brothers-in-law, Troy (Darla) and Ryan (Becky); and many nieces, nephews, godchildren, extended family members, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rich and Jan Petersen, and his in-laws, Phyllis and Dennis Erickson.

Mark’s legacy of love, laughter, and loyalty will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, MEMORIALS TO UNITED WAY OF DOUGLAS AND POPE COUNTIES OR ALEXANDRIA COVENANT CHURCH ARE PREFERRED.