Elmer Petersen, 95, of Jefferson, passed away on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at Jefferson Memory Care.  Elmer was born on September 20, 1924 in Lake Benton, Minnesota, the son of Chris and Caroline (nee Rasmussen) Petersen. Elmer served in the United States Marines during WWII, earning the Purple Heart. On August 13, 1949 he married Carol Pulumbo at Free Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. They celebrated 56 years of marriage prior to Carol’s passing in 2005. He and Carol moved to Newport, MN in 1953 followed by Cottage Grove in 1958 where they farmed until 1974 then moving to Rochester, MN. In 1976 they moved to Watertown where they dairy farmed. He enjoyed farming and had a drywall business for several years. Later in life he moved up north to Pickerel, Wisconsin.  Elmer is survived by his children, Bruce (Juanita) Petersen of Coolidge, AZ, Pastor Gary (Rebecca) Petersen of Hudsonville, MI, LuAnn (Dave) Schroeder of Cottage Grove, Debra Gerl of Lake Mills, and Timothy “Tim” (girlfriend Kimberly) Petersen of Watertown; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife in 2005.  Funeral Services will be held on Friday, September 25, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Hafemeister Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Petersen officiating. Burial with military honors will take place at Glenview Memorial Gardens in Ixonia. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Hafemeister Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Watertown is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.hafemeisterfh.com.