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Peter Henry Bergstedt, age 71, of Chisago City, MN passed away on January 12, 2017 at Parmly LifePointes, a care facility in Chisago City.   He was born on August 1, 1945 in Duluth, MN to Sakrie and Aili Bergstedt. He grew up in Esko and graduated from Esko High School in 1963.  Peter attended the University of Minnesota Duluth and graduated from Portland State University with a degree in psychology.  He attended the Inter-Lutheran Theological Seminary in Minneapolis and was ordained by the Association Free Lutheran Congregations.  Peter served in the United States Army from 1967 to 1969.  He married Joyce Marie Somero in Chico, CA on August 31, 1968.

Peter served as the pastor of Eastwood Apostolic Lutheran Church in Negaunee, MI and Sunnyside Free Lutheran Church in Linwood, MN.  He travelled to India, Israel, and throughout the United States to minister, teach and mentor.  He also worked in sales and carpentry.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents, Sakrie and Aili Bergstedt; stepmother Hilda Bergstedt and siblings; Mildred Otto, Edwin Bergstedt, Marian Widen, Mabel Bumala, William Bergstedt Sr., Robert Bergstedt, Phyllis Barney, and James Bergstedt.  

Peter is survived by his wife of 48 years, Joy; children Sarah Sannes and her husband Chris of Saint Paul, MN, Beth Besonen and her husband Gregory of Overland Park, KS, Heidi Bergstedt of Maplewood, MN,  Anne Miller and her husband Tim of Shoreview, MN, Nathan Bergstedt and his wife Chelsea of Lakewood, WA, Rachel Palkki and her husband Michael of Gwinn, MI; brother Jacob “Jack” Bergstedt and his wife Elaine of Esko, MN; sisters Margaret “Peggy” Petersen and her husband Gary of Mesa, AZ, Naomi Hilman of Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada, Janet “Jan” Pelto and her husband John of Bloomington, MN; grandchildren Veronica Sannes of Saint Paul, MN, Anissa Preston and her husband Caleb of Tucson, AZ, Amber Besonen of Costa Mesa, CA, Emma Martin and her husband Peter of Tucson, AZ, Elle, Jari and Stefan Besonen of Overland Park, KS, Jadalyn and Nora Miller of Shoreview, MN, Ethan and Abby Bergstedt of Lakewood, WA, Ailina and Elisabeth Palkki of Gwinn, MI; many nieces and nephews, and countless friends around the world.  

A private interment will be in the Esko Apostolic Lutheran Church Cemetery, at a later date.

A memorial service with military honors will be on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 2 pm at the Esko Apostolic Lutheran Church, 25 Church Road, Esko, MN with a visitation at 1 pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family preferred.  

Online condolences may be made at www.mattsonfuneralhome.com. Cards and memorials may be directed to Mattson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 343 N. Shore Drive, Forest Lake, MN 55025.

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