Joel Aaron Peterson

Joel Aaron Peterson was born on May 16, 1973, and passed away on April 12, 2026. 

Growing up in Iowa City, Iowa, and Rockford, Illinois, this bright-eyed blonde kid with a ready smile experienced a Midwestern childhood complete with a passion for fishing; endless outdoor play; family trips to Grandpa Ray and Grandma Lois's cottage on White Sand Lake in Wisconsin; and family vacations in Naples, Florida, where Grandpa Burl and Grandma Dorothea happily indulged him. He was never far from the company of cousins and friends who enjoyed his easy-going personality and fondness for a good laugh.

While a young teen, Joel discovered the wonderful sensation of banging on drums. He was a terrific drummer as visitors to the family home and neighbors can testify. Soon the garage band years followed, continuing into adulthood with actual gigs and the constant quest for an original sound and a unique band name. Who in the Twin Cities remembers Oswald Armageddon, Dirt Poor, and Countach?

Joel attended a creative arts-oriented middle school and high school where he was an excellent student, popular among his peers, and memorably performed as Mr. Witherspoon in Arsenic and Old Lace. He finished his formal education at the University of Minnesota/Minneapolis with a degree in environmental sciences. His work career included positions with Braun Intertec and the State of Minnesota.

During Joel’s time in Minneapolis, he fell in love with Jessica. They married in June 1997. In 2006, they welcomed twins Liam and Dane. The family expanded again in 2010 when Soren joined the crew. Joel was a rock star of a daddy. He made sure his sons at least tried fishing: the result, Liam could often out-fish anyone including his dad. He and Jessica made sure the boys had access to all kinds of music lessons: the result, Soren recently went to Europe with his high school orchestra as one of the violinists. In the meantime, Dane carried on his dad’s legacy of perfecting skateboard and snowboard feats. The agility he acquired helped him become an outstanding soccer player.

Joel’s heaven on earth was the family cabin at Rainy Lake in northern Minnesota. There he and his loved ones enjoyed many sunny, and rainy, days. Rain or shine, Joel would tool around the vast lake in his Lund seeking the best fishing spots, finding many, and revealing very few.

To honor Joel’s memory: go fishing, watch The Simpsons, pound a drum, listen to Ozzy’s music, read a book, enjoy some spicy Mexican food, get out on a lake, call your grandparents, keep duct tape nearby, be proud of your children and let them know it, and above all, be kind.

Joel’s immediate survivors are Liam, Dane, and Soren, the sons he loved beyond measure; mother Nancy; sister Laura (James) Larrick and their children Amelia, Otto, Louisa, and Jack; brother Jeffrey (Jennifer); grandmother Dorothea; and former wife Jessica. He was pre-deceased by his dad (and best friend) Jack; grandparents Ray and Lois Peterson; grandfather Burl Bonavia; and Spice, the best dog ever.

No services planned at this time.

In lieu of flowers, a GoFundMe has been established in his memory for his children and their future.

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